Delphi and NGT

The Delphi Method
Being developed as a toll used for systematic, interactive forecasting relying on a panel of experts, the Delphi method uses data collection and analysis techniques intermingled with feedback (Skulmoski, Hartman, and Krahn, 2007). The use of experts, or structured group of participants, provides more accurate results rather than using individuals who lack expertise in the tested area. This method is known to be one of the more flexible, effective and efficient research methods available for IS graduate students to answer research questions in information systems and to advance the IS body of knowledge (Skulmoski, Hartman, and Krahn, 2007).  This method has three distinct characteristics:

1.       Structured information flow: There is a structured approach to collect information and irrelevant information is filtered.

2.       Consistent feedback on a regular basis: Participants are reminded of their responses throughout the process and are given the choice to revise their earlier statements.  They are also able to comment on the responses of others and on the panel as a whole.

3.       Participants are anonymous: The participants are able to express themselves freely and openly without the need to conform to others around. Their identity is not revealed.  

This method tries to uses informed intuitive judgment in the most effective ways. Trying the best way to use the information that is gathered from the expert’s responses, this method is used to predict what future trends will look like.

The Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
The NGT is defined as an evaluation method that gives a semi-quantitative, rank ordered feedback about a group of individuals’ perceptions of what is good and bad within an educational program (Dobbie, Rhodes, Tysinger, Freeman, 2004).  The method is intended to encourage participation from every individual and thrives on the contributions that are made.  This tool can be used a group of participants varying of any size. With this tool, the decisions need to be made quickly by a vote with all opinions being accounted for.  Solutions are discussed with duplicated solutions being thrown out. Finally the solutions are ranked with the most important one being at the top of the list. This method may be useful where there are group member who are silent or there is concern about participation amongst the members.

This decision making process is one where each participant can be influenced by another. This would not be one of my personal choices only because the results can be distorted by one individual who may have a dominating opinion over the group.  This method lacks flexibility because you can only deal with one problem at a time. The group cannot move on until a decision is agreed upon by all participants. There is also no personal creativeness in the method. Every process is carefully prepared.

Forces which may impact the success:

Social: These methods may not succeed properly if social limitations exist. There must be effective communication in order to use the NGT properly. If a participant prefers to be disconnected and individualized, there would be a great reduction in the successfulness of the method.  

Reliable: How would I be able to rely on the results to be an accurate assessment of the technology?

My choice

For an innovative idea of choice, the open collaboration Delphi method would be one of choice. This is because the model would be used to motivate participants to communicate with each other and learn more about the subject matter in the eyes of the consumer with differing backgrounds other than their own.  In this environment, the participant would be forced to consider the aspects of the entire space which many not normally influence his opinion if here were in an isolated area.

References:

Dobbie, A., Rhodes, M., Tysinger, J. W., Freeman, J. (2004). Using a modified nominal group technique as a curriculum evaluation.

 Skulmoski, G. J., Hartman, F. T., & Krahn, J. (2007). The delphi method for graduate research.

Recreation Tourism Research Institue. (n.d.) The delphi method. Retrieved from http://web.viu.ca/rtri/Delphi%