Delphi Method in a Digital Age: Practical Considerations for Online Delphi Studies

Delphi Method In A Digital Age

While Delphi was invented in a paper-based world, technologies of today pose new opportunities and challenges for the Delphi researcher. The requirements to carry out studies using the Delphi method have moved from needing physical space and filing systems for handling mailing labels, postage-paid envelopes, and questionnaire duplication (Hasson, Keeney, & McKenna, 2001) to those of a digitized world where online surveys, electronic communication, and computer-based software, comprise the researchers’ toolkit. At a conceptual level considerations for Delphi studies largely remain the same as when the method was invented. Researchers need to prepare studies, design surveys, communicate with participants, and analyze data. However, practical logistics carrying out these functions have changed greatly over the years and now require considerations to manage, customize, automate, and expedite Delphi studies.