International Encyclopedia of Communication Online

Extract

The main objective of Delphi studies is to collect expert knowledge for decision-making. In Delphi studies experts' ideas and opinions are systematically surveyed. The data are gathered through a series of questionnaires interspersed with controlled and anonymous feedback ( Häder & Häder 2000 ). The goal of most Delphi studies is to create a group consensus in future tasks. Although the method originates from the modus operandi of the Greek oracle at Delphi, it is a young research method. The modern Delphi was a spin-off from defense research conducted by the Rand Corporation in the early 1950s at the beginning of the Cold War ( Gordon & Helmer 1964 ). The authors wanted to “obtain the most reliable consensus of opinion of a group of experts” ( Linstone & Turoff 1975 , 10). The principle of Delphi studies is based on panel →  surveys ; however, in contrast to such surveys, participants in Delphi studies are confronted with feedback from all participants. Two main assumptions are central: first, the judgment of a group is claimed as superior to judgments of individuals, and, second, the multilevel process of opinion forming is preferred as more valid than the single-level process ( Häder 2002 ). The classic design uses formalized questionnaires that are submitted to experts in the fields analyzed (pencil and paper or online version). The experts are anonymous; the feedback ... log in or subscribe to read full text