Premium
The Delphi technique: a methodological discussion
Author(s) -
Williams Patricia L.,
Webb Christine
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of advanced nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.948
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1365-2648
pISSN - 0309-2402
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2648.1994.tb01066.x
Subject(s) - delphi method , curriculum , delphi , medical education , validity , reliability (semiconductor) , nursing , nurse education , psychology , work (physics) , medicine , pedagogy , computer science , engineering , psychometrics , clinical psychology , power (physics) , physics , mechanical engineering , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , operating system
As in nursing, recent curriculum reform in radiographer education has resulted in the development of undergraduate programmes, and a study referred to in this paper investigated the activities of supervising radiographers in support of the undergraduate curriculum. Following on from ‘ward learning environments’ research in nursing, the most important activities which assist radiography students'clinical learning were investigated by means of the Delphi technique. At the design stage, a deficiency in previous work using the technique was identified, in that decisions relating to consensus among research respondents appeared to be based on arbitrary or post hoc rationales rather than predetermined or objective criteria. As the Delphi technique is being increasingly employed in nursing and similar research, it is important to explore issues of consensus, validity and reliability. The paper makes recommendations for improving these aspects in future studies.