Consulting the oracle: ten lessons from using the Delphi technique in nursing research
Title
Consulting the oracle: ten lessons from using the Delphi technique in nursing research
Creator
Keeney S; Hasson F; McKenna H
Identifier
Publisher
Journal Of Advanced Nursing
Date
2006
Subject
Humans; Consensus; Research Design; Reproducibility of Results; Delphi Technique; Adolescent Transitions; Nursing Research/methods
Description
AIM: The aim of this paper was to provide insight into the Delphi technique by outlining our personal experiences during its use over a 10-year period in a variety of applications. BACKGROUND: As a means of achieving consensus on an issue, the Delphi research method has become widely used in healthcare research generally and nursing research in particular. The literature on this technique is expanding, mainly addressing what it is and how it should be used. However, there is still much confusion and uncertainty surrounding it, particularly about issues such as modifications, consensus, anonymity, definition of experts, how 'experts' are selected and how non-respondents are pursued. DISCUSSION: This issues that arise when planning and carrying out a Delphi study include the definition of consensus; the issue of anonymity vs. quasi-anonymity for participants; how to estimate the time needed to collect the data, analyse each 'round', feed back results to participants, and gain their responses to this feedback; how to define and select the 'experts' who will be asked to participate; how to enhance response rates; and how many 'rounds' to conduct. CONCLUSION: Many challenges and questions are raised when using the Delphi technique, but there is no doubt that it is an important method for achieving consensus on issues where none previously existed. Researchers need to adapt the method to suit their particular study.
2006
Rights
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Type
Journal Article
Citation List Month
Backlog
URL Address
Citation
Keeney S; Hasson F; McKenna H, “Consulting the oracle: ten lessons from using the Delphi technique in nursing research,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed April 19, 2024, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/13472.