Gastil, John, and James P. Dillard. "The aims, methods, and effects of deliberative civic education through the National Issues Forums." Communication education 48.3 (1999): 179-192.

This essay explores the goals, teaching methods, and educational impact of deliberative civic education through an in-depth analysis of the National Issues Forums (NIF). It begins with brief descriptions of three deliberative education programs, followed by a detailed examination of NIF. A summary of NIF materials highlights the program's educational goals and methods. Qualitative and quantitative studies are reviewed to assess NIF's effectiveness, revealing that NIF can enhance participants' political self-efficacy, refine political judgments, expand political conversation networks, and reduce conversational dominance. However, NIF may not directly influence political participation and might increase skepticism about the efficacy of group-based political action.