# The Use of Artificial Intelligence in eParticipation: Mapping Current Research
## 2 Analysis Framework  
In this section, we present the analysis framework for the study. The aim of the framework is to determine the main concepts of this emerging research field along with their relationships. We start by presenting the literature reviews in this area. From these, we will select the ones that propose conceptual models for eParticipation. Such a model will form the heart of our work. Finally, we extend the selected conceptual model to also include important and relevant AI concepts. A number of literature reviews have been conducted to map the current state of the art of eParticipation. These reviews aim to map research work into models [4; 18] or capture the entirety of research production in a 10-year timeframe [19]. Some studies examine the evolution of various eParticipation's concepts [20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26]. One study focuses on the technologies, tools, and areas of eParticipation [27], while another focuses on the primary research sources, i.e., which journals, authors, and articles have the greatest impact on the field [28]. There are also studies such as [29] that focus on the importance of ICT in democratic processes and the development of eParticipation. The existing literature reviews present (a) the current problems of eParticipation [30; 31; 32], (b) the adoption models of eParticipation [33], (c) the use of social media in eParticipation [34], and (d) the participation of citizens in eGovernment service delivery [35]. Finally, there are attempts to map the field by proposing a general model to describe the area [36; 37] or a model of the theoretical contributions to the field [38]. A comprehensive examination of 131 papers by [36] results in a synthesized conceptual model categorizing the principal components of the eParticipation domain. At the center of that model lie eParticipation activities, denoted as \"social activities or behavioral patterns (e.g., voting, attending political meetings/debates, collecting signatures) facilitated by technology, typically internet-based\". These activities are orchestrated or initiated by various subjects (actors) and engender consequences to which subjects may respond. The context in which these activities occur is analyzed in the literature and the factors that determine it (contextual factors) are considered important for the outcomes of the activities. These outcomes serve to validate the necessity and significance of the activities. Furthermore, these outcomes are subjected to evaluation, appraising their significance. The conceptual model proposed in [36] was augmented in [4] by introducing a subcategory for actors (Researchers and scholars) and an evaluation subcategory (Transparency and openness). In conclusion, as articulated by [4; 36], the eParticipation field is characterized by diverse concepts. Specifically, the conceptual framework for eParticipation can be delineated by elucidating its (a) actors, (b) activities, (c) contextual factors, (d) effects, (e) evaluation processes, and (f) the interrelations among them. Figure 1 presents the five main concepts and the prominent values per concept from [4; 36]. Most of these values are self-explanatory except for effects and evaluation. Specifically, the values for \"eParticipation effects\" include:  
* Deliberative is about the quality of participation expressed. A democratic perspective is considered a point of reference where discussions are conducted in a thorough, logical, and fair manner. * Democratic concerns general effects on democracy in any direction, positive or negative. * Civic Engagement concerns the basic idea of eParticipation, where the concept of classic participation is extended. More or new participants, new forms of participation, or more contributions are usually desirable. * Furthermore, the values for \"eParticipation Evaluation\" include:
* Openness and Transparency in governance, eParticipation platforms, policy formulation, and decision-making processes. * Quantity of the participation, which measures the civic engagement effect.