Improving Delphi study rigour with the integration of Q-methodology

ABSTRACT

The flexibility of the Delphi Technique has enabled its application across a wide range of fields to facilitate problem solving, decision-making and consensus-building. However, flexibility brings with it a corresponding lack of detailed methodological guidelines, and the rigour of Delphi studies has been questioned. This paper presents a recent study investigating global competence in Japan to demonstrate how Q-methodology can be integrated into a Delphi study to improve rigour. Using Q-methodology helps to mitigate potential problems associated with (a) consensus parameters and focus, (b) panel retention rates, and (c) feedback design.

KEYWORDS:

• Delphi Technique
• Q-methodology
• mixed methods research
• global competence
• Japan

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to Phil Benson for his advice on aspects of the development of the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science: [Grant Number 19K00840].