The Delphi Method and Modified Nominal Group Technique

The Delphi method has been used for many purposes in decision making such as forecasting key issues in IS management, as well as polling, brainstorming, modeling and visioning.  When used to collect data for polling and statistics in research, modification and improvement would provide better tracking. 

The Modified Nominal Group technique (NGT) is a method that gathers data based on opinion through surveys, focus groups, interviews, feedback, and evaluations, yet like the Delphi method, it also uses brainstorming to obtain ideas, problem solve and prioritize.  The NGT method uses organization in its approach to evaluating the information collected to gain a certain vantage point from its participants.  The eight (8) steps used in the NGT process is geared toward getting a specific outcome, but it be implemented for many uses.

The future innovation of Bluetooth technology incorporated with mobile devices designed to record and transmit patient information to physicians would be a great and beneficial tool.  Using the Delphi method with open collaboration would best suit the purpose of gathering information and brainstorming because there is so much detail and additional work in the design, implementation, and application of the project.

The forces in both papers are organizational and critical. The two methods help research to be more organized and allows the findings to be more critically analyzed.

Cornish, Edward; Futuring: The Exploration of the Future; ISBN 0-930242-61-0

Dobbie, Alison, MD; Rhodes, Martin, FRCGP; Tysinger, James W., PhD; Freeman, Joshua, MD; Using a Modified Nominal Group Technique As a Curriculum Evaluation Tool; Core Concepts in Family Medicine Education; Family Medicine, June 2004

Skulmoski, Gregory J., Hartman, Francis T., and Krahn, Jennifer; The Delphi Method for Graduate Research; Journal of Information Technology Education, Volume 6, 2007