Ethics of a Delphi Survey

An ethical Delphi technique, as outlined by Martino (1983), encompasses components:

1. Anonymity:

• Each group member submits independent answers to pertinent questions, ensuring that biases from group dynamics or dominant individuals are minimized.

• Anonymity guarantees that every individual's input is considered equally in the final group judgment, countering the influence of social pressures.

• To facilitate understanding, codes may label contributions (e.g., P1, P2), though absolute anonymity may hinder participant engagement. Providing biographical sketches can mitigate this effect.

2. Iteration of responses:

• Iteration permits controlled interchange among group members, affording opportunities for opinion and judgment refinement over multiple rounds.

• By revisiting questionnaires, participants can adjust their viewpoints based on group feedback, enhancing the reliability of subsequent responses.

3. Controlled feedback:

• Controlled feedback with each iteration allows participants to review previous forecasts in light of group responses, promoting informed reassessment.

• Summarised results from each round inform participants' subsequent responses, ensuring a dynamic and iterative decision-making process.

  
  

4. Statistical aggregation:

• The Delphi method typically concludes with group-level statistical measures such as mean or median responses, representing the collective opinion.

• The spread of forecasts serves as a measure of consensus, reflecting the diverse perspectives of all group members in the outcome.