Demystifying the Delphi Method

2015 ◽  
pp. 84-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaye Shelton ◽  
Kathleen Adair Creghan

The Delphi research method was specifically designed as a forecasting tool for the Rand Corporation in the 1950s. However, in the last several decades, Delphi research has been more frequently used for facilitating group communication for decision making and planning. Because of the Delphi Method's increased use, more information is needed for researchers to understand how to best utilize the method to precisely complete a Delphi study with rigor. This chapter explores the Delphi Method's origin, provides an explanation of the methodology, acknowledges the types and variations in Delphi studies, discusses the advantages and limitations, and provides clear, step-by-step guidelines for employing a successful research study.

Author(s):  
Kaye Shelton ◽  
Kathleen Adair Creghan

The Delphi research method was specifically designed as a forecasting tool for the Rand Corporation in the 1950s. However, in the last several decades, Delphi research has been more frequently used for facilitating group communication for decision making and planning. Because of the Delphi Method's increased use, more information is needed for researchers to understand how to best utilize the method to precisely complete a Delphi study with rigor. This chapter explores the Delphi Method's origin, provides an explanation of the methodology, acknowledges the types and variations in Delphi studies, discusses the advantages and limitations, and provides clear, step-by-step guidelines for employing a successful research study.


2022 ◽  
pp. 473-497
Author(s):  
Kaye Shelton ◽  
Christine A. Haynes ◽  
Kathleen Adair Creghan

Although the Delphi method was designed as a forecasting tool for the RAND Corporation in the 1950s, in the last several decades, this research methodology is commonly used for facilitating consensus in many fields such as business, education, and nursing. Because of the increased use of the Delphi method, more information is needed for researchers to precisely execute a successful Delphi study. This chapter briefly introduces the Delphi method, reviews the methodology, discusses types and variations in Delphi studies, addresses the advantages and limitations, and provides clear, step-by-step guidelines for employing a Delphi method research study.


Author(s):  
Kaye Shelton ◽  
Christine A. Haynes ◽  
Kathleen Adair Creghan

Although the Delphi method was designed as a forecasting tool for the RAND Corporation in the 1950s, in the last several decades, this research methodology is commonly used for facilitating consensus in many fields such as business, education, and nursing. Because of the increased use of the Delphi method, more information is needed for researchers to precisely execute a successful Delphi study. This chapter briefly introduces the Delphi method, reviews the methodology, discusses types and variations in Delphi studies, addresses the advantages and limitations, and provides clear, step-by-step guidelines for employing a Delphi method research study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9017
Author(s):  
Koralalage S. U. Jayaratne ◽  
Daniel P. Collins ◽  
Shannon B. McCollum

The purpose of this research study was to determine the challenges faced by early-career youth development extension educators and strategies helpful in managing those challenges. This study used the modified Delphi method of three rounds with a specifically selected expert panel of 24 members to build consensus on the challenges that early-career youth development extension educators faced and managing strategies of those challenges. The expert panel of this Delphi study was selected from two south-eastern states in the U.S. based on their proven success and effectiveness in youth development extension programming in their respective counties. The three-round Delphi study led to building the consensus on 16 challenges faced by early-career youth development extension educators and 14 strategies helpful in managing those challenges. The findings of this study have implications for planning onboarding training programs for early-career youth development extension educators. Future research is needed to understand how identified strategies contribute to managing early-career challenges faced by youth development extension educators.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e030430
Author(s):  
Thomas Ott ◽  
Jascha Stracke ◽  
Susanna Sellin ◽  
Marc Kriege ◽  
Gerrit Toenges ◽  
...  

ObjectivesDuring a ‘cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate’ situation, asphyxia can lead to cardiac arrest. In this stressful situation, two complex algorithms facilitate decision-making to save a patient’s life: difficult airway management and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, the extent to which competition between the two algorithms causes conflicts in the execution of pivotal treatment remains unknown. Due to the rare incidence of this situation and the very low feasibility of such an evaluation in clinical reality, we decided to perform a randomised crossover simulation research study. We propose that even experienced healthcare providers delay cricothyrotomy, a lifesaving approach, due to concurrent cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a ‘cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate’ situation.DesignDue to the rare incidence and dynamics of such a situation, we conducted a randomised crossover simulation research study.SettingWe collected data in our institutional simulation centre between November 2016 and November 2017.ParticipantsWe included 40 experienced staff anaesthesiologists at our tertiary university hospital centre.InterventionThe participants treated two simulated patients, both requiring cricothyrotomy: one patient required cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to asphyxia, and one patient did not require cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was the intervention. Participants were evaluated by video records.Primary outcome measuresThe difference in ‘time to ventilation through cricothyrotomy’ between the two situations was the primary outcome measure.ResultsThe results of 40 participants were analysed. No carry-over effects were detected in the crossover design. During cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the median time to ventilation was 22 s (IQR 3–40.5) longer than that without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p=0.028), including the decision-making time.ConclusionCricothyrotomy, which is the most crucial treatment for cardiac arrest in a ‘cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate’ situation, was delayed by concurrent cardiopulmonary resuscitation. If cardiopulmonary resuscitation delays cricothyrotomy, it should be interrupted to first focus on cricothyrotomy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Pontifex ◽  
Caris Savin ◽  
Caitlin Park ◽  
Alina Filipe Nunes ◽  
K Jane Chalmers ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Persistent pelvic pain is a complex condition often influenced by psychological factors that can alter treatment outcomes. These factors are potentially modifiable; however, currently there is no instrument to screen for them in these individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) which psychological factors should be screened in individuals with persistent pelvic pain and (2) the most appropriate statements to represent these psychological factors. Methods The study used a focus group design followed by an electronic-Delphi (e-Delphi) process. A focus group consisting of 8 experts was conducted to determine the relevant psychological factors to screen. These results informed round 1 of the e-Delphi process, consisting of a panel of 14 pain/pelvic pain experts. The e-Delphi process consisted of 3 rounds of online surveys and 2 teleconference discussions to establish consensus on the most appropriate statement to screen for each of the psychological factors. Results The focus group identified 13 relevant psychological factors. During the e-Delphi process, relevant screening statements were assessed using a 100-point allocation system. Experts could reword and suggest new statements. Statements were assessed for consensus and stability and were eliminated as the rounds progressed if they met the exclusion criteria. At the termination of round 3, there were 15 statements remaining. Conclusions The final list of 15 statements will assist clinicians in screening for psychological factors and is an important step for clinicians in providing psychologically informed care to people with persistent pelvic pain. Future research should determine the psychometric properties of the statements to determine their clinical utility as a questionnaire. Impact This study has refined a list of statements to help screen for psychological factors in individuals with persistent pelvic pain. Developed robustly using an e-Delphi method, this list is an important first step forward for clinicians to provide psychologically informed care to these individuals.


2021 ◽  
pp. 219256822110126
Author(s):  
Yong Hai ◽  
Jingwei Liu ◽  
Yuzeng Liu ◽  
Tie Liu ◽  
Xinuo Zhang ◽  
...  

Study Design: Modified Delphi study. Objective: The objective of this study was to establish expert consensus on the application of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) by using the modified Delphi study. Methods: From June 2019 to March 2020, Members of the Chinese Study Group for Lateral Lumbar Spine Surgery were selected to collect expert feedback using the modified Delphi method where 65 spine surgeons from all over China agreed to participate. Four rounds were performed: 1 face-to-face meeting and 3 subsequent survey rounds. The consensus was achieved with ≥a 70.0% agreement for each question. The recommendation of grade A was defined as ≥90.0% of the agreement for each question. The recommendation of grade B was defined as 80.0-89.9% of the agreement for each question. The recommendation of grade C was defined as 70.0-79.9% of the agreement for each question. Results: A total of 65 experts formed a panelist group, and the number of questionnaires collected was 63, 59, and 62 in the 3 rounds. In total, 5 sections, 71 questions, and 382 items achieved consensus after the Delphi rounds including summary; preoperative evaluation; application at the lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spondylolisthesis, adult degenerative scoliosis, postoperative adjacent segmental degeneration, and revision surgery; complications; and postoperative follow-up evaluation of LLIF. Conclusion: The modified Delphi method was utilized to ascertain an expert consensus from the Chinese Study Group for Lateral Lumbar Spine Surgery to inform clinical decision-making in the application of LLIF. The salient grade A recommendations of the survey are enumerated.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (sup1) ◽  
pp. 558-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora McCarthy ◽  
Karen Neville ◽  
Andrew Pope ◽  
Anthony Gallagher ◽  
Alexander Nussbaumer ◽  
...  

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Karlsson ◽  
Tom Griffiths ◽  
Michael T. Clarke ◽  
Elegast Monbaliu ◽  
Kate Himmelmann ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Limited research exists to guide clinical decisions about trialling, selecting, implementing and evaluating eye-gaze control technology. This paper reports on the outcomes of a Delphi study that was conducted to build international stakeholder consensus to inform decision making about trialling and implementing eye-gaze control technology with people with cerebral palsy. Methods A three-round online Delphi survey was conducted. In Round 1, 126 stakeholders responded to questions identified through an international stakeholder Advisory Panel and systematic reviews. In Round 2, 63 respondents rated the importance of 200 statements generated by in Round 1. In Round 3, 41 respondents rated the importance of the 105 highest ranked statements retained from Round 2. Results Stakeholders achieved consensus on 94 of the original 200 statements. These statements related to person factors, support networks, the environment, and technical aspects to consider during assessment, trial, implementation and follow-up. Findings reinforced the importance of an individualised approach and that information gathered from the user, their support network and professionals are central when measuring outcomes. Information required to support an application for funding was obtained. Conclusion This Delphi study has identified issues which are unique to eye-gaze control technology and will enhance its implementation with people with cerebral palsy.


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