Using the Delphi Technique to Explore Complex Concepts in Speech-Language Pathology: An Illustrative Example From Children's Social Communication

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in expanding the research approaches that speech-language pathologists utilize, particularly for addressing complex questions. Consensus-building techniques can be useful for addressing such questions. The Delphi technique is a consensus-building process involving structured communication among members of an expert panel via independent responses to iterative rounds of questionnaires. The purpose of this research note is to describe and demonstrate the Delphi technique using an application to a complex problem in speech-language pathology, that is, the bases of social communication and pragmatics. The Delphi technique was described and illustrated via the following study: 10 expert speech-language pathologists participated in a 3-round Delphi study. Participants were asked to list the key features of social communication and pragmatics in Round 1. Questions for Rounds 2 and 3 were developed on the basis of the participants' responses to previous rounds. The Delphi technique was useful in bringing participants to consensus on the key features of social communication and pragmatics and offered a starting point for the continued exploration of this complex problem. A discussion of the benefits and limitations of the technique is included, highlighting the utility of the technique to the field of speech-language pathology.