Qualitative Delphi; A Research Tool in the Social Science

Author

Department of Sociology, University of Tehran

Abstract

Delphi is one of the most important and, at the same time, the latest of the qualitative research tools. It was in the 1940's that its application came to the fore, and it can be applied extensively to the macro subjects, particularly to the ones distinguished by qualitative and subjective nature. It can be used, for example, to assess ideas of the Iranian specialists, both in academic and in executive areas, to formulate questions as ones that follow:
"What are the greatest constraints and value-related problems", "Which act as obstacles to women's promotion at the present juncture of history?" Or, "What are the greatest normative obstacles or constraints blocking practical
equality of men and women?"
As noted, this research tool can be applied to achieve several goals.
1- The recognition of expert ideas and beliefs (at descriptive or causal level). 2- Creating the necessary context to coordinate and bring together ideas.
3- To produce idea for reality implementation.
Given what went on, one can see that there are several stages in applying this
technique:
A- Selection of elites. B- The initial question.
C- The processing of responses by content analysis.
D- The return to the generation members (Cohort Analysis).
Thus, within several stages, one can achieve approximating the ideas and
find some way to implement it Some principles in Delphi research are as the following:
_ The principle of enrichment and support.
- The principle of sharing.

Keywords

Women's Studies Sociological and Psychological
Volume 2, Issue 4
March 2004
Pages 86-121

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