3.3.10 Analysis

Each step of the Delphi requires a specific analysis.

In a classical Delphi, open-ended questions from round 1 should be content analysed ‘in order to group statements generated by the experts panel into similar areas’⁹⁵.

Round that uses closed questions should be statistically analysed. Summary statistics are used to decide whether or not consensus is reached. The level of the consensus has to be defined in advance (i.e. 70% of agreement).

There is no agreement on the threshold indicating a consensus, nor how to choose this threshold⁹⁵. Each researcher has to reflect on it, case by case.

The proposals that have reached consensus should be eliminated from the next round.