eDelphi Process, part 3: Executing the​ Delphi Rounds
Channel: Metodix
Date: 2020-01-08

During its twenty years of development, eDelphi has been built as a network utility for qualitative delphi research. It emphasizes the interactive learning process of an all-round and multidisciplinary expert panel, instead of just data collecting and recycling. This kind of argumentative eDelphi process consists of four phases that are:

1. Creating a panel and a query
2. Building an expert panel
3. Executing the Delphi rounds
4. Analyzing, presenting and reporting the Delphi results

In the third part, we are in the middle of a Delphi round, collecting the data produced by the panelists. In the final part, this data will be described, analyzed, and reported. During the Delphi round, the panelists will be activated, but It is downright proactive time also for the manager.

In this video instruction, we will first repeat the instructions from the previous video on how to invite and manage panelists.

Secondly, we will show how to keep track of the query activities. The manager should also observe, if the Expertise Matrix will fill up evenly during the round. Conversely to survey-type queries, the Delphi-management prefers active communication. The goal is not only to gather already existing, scattered information, but also to form it through the panelists’ interaction. This interaction becomes possible when the panelist, in addition to answering, familiarizes themselves with other panelists’ comments, and possibly reconsiders their own original answer. In this video instruction, we will demonstrate two different techniques on how to involve and inform the panelists. Finally, we will describe one possible technical solution to move from the first round to the second.

As an example of the Delphi process, we will be using the four possible routes to end up to technological singularity, sketched by Vernor Vinge. By technological singularity he means a new evolutionary phase when the significance of the machines will outweigh the human abilities. The phase will be a result of a changing relationship between the human and the machine. The use of the theme is not a statement for singularity, but a tactical decision to choose a theme that does not grow old immediately. For this video instruction there is an open delphi panel with the title Technological Singularity: https://www.edelphi.org/technological-singularity . This panel is referred to as the Case panel later in the instructions.