Before posting a solution in response to the problem they’ve chosen, participants may want to familiarize themselves with the issue. The “problem page” will provide only a very brief description of the topic. In Depth Discussion pages that are linked to this problem might include some historical data and statistics, as well as various theories about underlying causes. For example, if the target issue selected was campaign finance reform, In Depth Discussion posts might include some description of current campaign finance law and the ways campaigns are conducted. There would be some discussion of the constitutional issues involved with reforming these laws and practices, the differences between hard and soft money, current laws governing public disclosure, and so on. Links to websites with more information will also be available. These background materials will be gathered from many diverse sources to help participants understand the problems they’re working with in greater depth from more points of view than they might have previously considered. All the materials will be prepared in consultation with a number of public policy research institutions and advocacy groups, as well as any other knowledgeable groups or individuals that we can identify. The information provided will include the known available options and the difficulties involved.

In addition to this background material, a selection of previously proposed solutions to various aspects of the problem will be presented. To continue with the campaign finance example, there might be proposed solutions calling for and against public financing of elections and the probable costs involved, or debating the practicality and desirability, as well as the legal limitations of all candidates receiving equal free television time. These solutions will be collected from a variety of sources, such as journalists, all political parties (major and minor), and as a wide a range of advocacy groups as we can reach.

Ideas for solutions proposed might be original, or they might be drawn from a pending piece of legislation, or a book, article, website, or any other source. Of course, proposers will be expected to write in their own words, credit their sources, and obey copyright laws.

Once the participant is ready, s/he will then fill out the brief Solution form. The only required fields are “title” and “solution summary,” a description of the proposed solution that is as brief and clear as possible. The author can expand on this, if s/he chooses, in the “further description” field of the form. The author will also be encouraged to categorize his/her solution in a number of ways, specifying which aspects of the problem the solution addresses, what outcomes it pursues, what actions it calls for, and what funding sources will pay for it. This tagging process will make matching much easier, but it will be totally optional for authors.