Delphi Primer: Doing academic and real-world research

[Ayrleig]

In other words, the Delphi Method is a means of falling into the "Appeal to Authority" fallacy and biasing any further interactions, to conform to it.

[Sustain4Biz]

@Ayrleig Good point. I was somewhat surprised to find in my research that there there are a whole lot of "consultants" who use a similar-type method to come up with the answer they wanted. The researcher can always skew the results, especially if that is the goal. Delphi tries to to avoid the bias from group interaction and still utilize group learning. (Participants won't know who said what or even who the other participants are.)

[Sustain4Biz]

@Sustain4Biz Usually the Delphi is used in a situation where there is going to me no information (essentially ever or no timely information) or you use informed parties to got good (but not necessarily perfect) information. For example, try doing research on juvenile, pregnant, prisoners. You would have to use a delphi-type study on guards or social workers, or not do the research at all.

[Sustain4Biz]

@Sustain4Biz But you do want a reputable and experienced researcher. Delphi is much different from a straight-forward questionnaire where there is no involvement and participation from the researcher. If a simple, direct quantitative study would work, it is usually much preferred.