Article

Minimizing Non-Response in The Delphi Process: How to Respond to Non-Response

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Abstract

When using the Delphi process, investigators need not only to achieve a desirable response rate in the initial round but they must also concern themselves with maintaining high response rates in the following iterations. Due to the potential scarcity of qualified participants and the relatively small number of subjects used in a Delphi study, the ability to achieve and maintain an ideal response rate can either ensure or jeopardize the validity of a Delphi study. The purpose of this paper is to discuss possible options to achieve and maintain a desirable response rate when engaged in a Delphi research project. These possible options focus on the importance of seeking help from well recognized experts or endorsed individuals, the value in establishing the first contact with each participant, the option of utilizing different forms and formats of questions, the use of incentives to encourage response and finally, strategies for dealing with non-respondents. Accessed 17,861 times on https://pareonline.net from December 07, 2007 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right.

Keywords: Evaluation Methods, Research Methodology

How to Cite:

Hsu, C. & Sandford, B. A., (2007) “Minimizing Non-Response in The Delphi Process: How to Respond to Non-Response”, Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation 12(1): 17. doi: https://doi.org/10.7275/by88-4025