Open-ended Format Research Articles

SURVEY OF BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM SPP.) PROBLEMS IN THE GULF SOUTH

The blueberry (Vaccinium) industry in Mississippi has been steadily increasing since the early 1980s, but some plants in older fields are now in decline. The root rot pathogen, Phytophthora cinnamomi, is endemic in the southeastern United States and has caused severe losses to blueberries in North Carolina and Arkansas. Because the warm, humid climate of Mississippi, with periods of high precipitation, provides a favorable environment for Phytophthora root rot disease, it was suspected to be the cause of plant decline in older blueberry fields. Members of the Gulf South Blueberry Growers Association were mailed surveys to determine cultural practices and the extent of losses in their blueberry fields. The survey was written in partial, open-ended question format with 33 questions pertaining to cultivars, number of hectares planted, cultural practices, overall health of the blueberry plants, and losses due to diseases, insects, or other problems. Fifty-eight of 146 surveys (40%) were completed and returned. 89% of respondents grew rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei) cultivars and the balance grew southern highbush (V. corymbosum hybrids) cultivars. The average number of plants per hectare was 1523 with the majority of plants 10 - 20 years old. 79% of the growers described the overall condition of their plants as average, healthy, or vigorous. The most common cause of plant death cited was environmental with damage caused by the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes at the top of the list. No major diseases were reported by 36% of the respondents, while mummy berry (Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi [Reade] Honey), leaf spots (many causal organisms), and root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands) were noted as problems by 22, 15, and 10% of the growers, respectively. Phytophthora species were isolated from root and soil samples collected from symptomatic plants on three farms. Weeds were listed as problems on 100% of the surveys. 47% of the respondents plan to increase their blueberry plantings mainly with rabbiteye cultivars.

Assessing students’ critical thinking performance: Urging for measurements using multi-response format

The current paper discusses ambiguities in critical thinking assessment. The paper first reviews the components of critical thinking. It then discusses the features and issues of commonly used critical thinking tests and to what extend they are made compatible to the conceptualization of critical thinking. The paper argues that critical thinking tests utilizing a single multiple-choice response format measures only recognition or level of knowledge, and do not adequately capture the dispositional characteristics of test-takers. Multiple-choice response format does not reveal test-takers’ underlying reasoning for choosing a particular answer, nor does it reflect test-takers’ ability to think critically under unprompted situations. Whereas measurement that allows for responses in both multiple-choice and open-ended format makes it possible to assess individuals’ spontaneous application of thinking skills on top of their ability to recognize a correct response. Assessment consists of multi-response format should be pursued for effective evaluation of students’ critical thinking performance.

Urban Tourism Precincts and the Experience of Place

Using phenomenology as the basic methodological framework, this article examines tourists' experiences in Federation Square and the Southbank promenade, two tourism precincts in the city of Melbourne, Australia. Eighteen extended interviews were conducted with a total of 24 participants using an open-ended question format. The interviews were guided by the phenomenological question: ‘what is the essence of the precinct experience’? Following the interviews the data were coded into three major themes: physical form, atmosphere and meaning. The analysis revealed that the striking architectural form of Federation Square was appreciated by most but its lack of legibility makes it less comfortable as a tourist space. Conversely, the linear and well defined modernist Southbank is a place enjoyed for its sociability and cultural attractions. The article argues that the physical form and atmosphere of a tourist space significantly impacts on the meaning that will be derived from the experience for the individual. Moreover it is the meaning that ultimately transforms a city space to a place and most profoundly contributes to a quality urban tourism experience.

Willingness to pay for a hearing aid: comparing the payment scale and open‐ended question

Different question formats elicit different willingness-to-pay (WTP) results, but there is no consensus on which method elicits the most valid WTP. In spite of the methodological controversies, WTP is a potentially valuable tool in health economics to value health services. Our general objective was to provide additional evidence on the validity of two WTP elicitation formats: the open-ended question and the payment scale. We elicited WTP for a hearing aid among hearing aid users (n = 108), using both a payment scale and an open-ended question. We compared the results from both formats. We tested criterion validity by comparing both formats with the actual out-of-pocket payment. Construct validity was tested by examining whether WTP was consistent with positive income elasticity. The WTP results elicited with the payment scale and open-ended question were not statistically significantly different. Both formats showed good criterion validity, although the open-ended question showed a stronger association with the actual out-of-pocket payment. The open-ended format showed better construct validity, as it was influenced by family income. The results of the present study showed that the open-ended question was more valid than the payment scale question. We, therefore, recommend that in future WTP studies on hearing aids the open-ended question is used to directly elicit WTP values. The same recommendation may apply to other studies where respondents are familiar with costs or payments for the intervention under evaluation.

Consumer's Willingness to Pay for Organic Food in the Perspective of Meta-Analysis

With the concern for the market of food safety, abundant researches on consumer's WTP for organic food have been carried out. This paper aims to validate the conclusion from the research review that the estimates of consumer's WTP for organic food from various researches are statistically significant and attempts to explore the causes, which are accounted for in terms of four factors: sampling err, socio-economic characteristics of sample, research methods and research objects. A wide range of WTPs were reported, among which the maximum value shoots up to 509.2% and the minimum value touches down to 2.3%. The main attributing factors to the variation among estimates are identified as sampling err, socio-economic characteristics of samples and valuation method. It's implied that the sample size of empirical survey should be at least above 200, while open-ended question format, household randomly sampling method and personal interview survey are much more appreciated. In Lusk et al. (2004)'s meta-analysis on consumer's willingness to pay for non-GM foods, the range of estimates is remarkable, from - 67% to 784%. If the significant variance among the estimates of consumer's WTP for non-GM food might be due to uncertainty of potential hazard of food gene modification, the valuation results of consumer's WTP for organic food, popularly accepted as safer, healthier, are expected much more coordinated. Nevertheless, it is found that estimates of consumer's average willingness to pay rage from 3% to 509% among diverse studies. Hence, there is a growing need to evaluate the current research outcomes and to explore what causes the variation in the estimates. There are three primary reasons why understanding the sources of the outcome variation would be useful and important. The most obvious is that if variation comes from various research methods, researchers could estimate the causes of bias, as well as improve the methods in eliciting consumer's willingness to pay to minimize biases caused by sampling and survey methods. In addition, a much more comprehensive understanding of the demand theory concerning food safety would be gained when a more reliable exploration between WTP and socio-economic variables is carried out. Decision-makers could make better use of the valuation outcomes of consumer's willingness to pay as well when they are well acknowledged of potential sources of bias. The purposes of this research are three-folded. Firstly, it provides a comprehensive review of major research findings in the field of consumer's willingness-to-pay for organic food throughout the world and summarizes current explanations for the variation of WTP estimates in the aspects both of individual socio-economic characteristics and research methods. Secondly, with meta-analysis, this paper attempts to validate the conclusion from the research review that the estimates from different researches are statistically significant. Third, this paper attempts to shed light on what causes the difference in the estimates of consumer's WTP for organic food from different researches, in terms of four aspects: sampling err, socio-economic characteristics of sample, research methods and research objects.

The Impact of Facilitation of Small-Group Discussions of Psychosocial Topics in Medicine on Faculty Growth and Development

To use qualitative analysis of interview transcripts with clinician-educators who facilitate small-group discussions on psychosocial themes--including doctoring--to answer the question, "What impact does facilitating small-group discussions of the patient's experience with chronic illness, the doctor-patient relationship, and doctoring have on faculty instructors' attitudes regarding their roles as clinicians and teachers?" In 2006, in-depth, face-to-face interviews using an open-ended question format were conducted with individual faculty small-group instructors teaching in the Family Centered Experience and Longitudinal Case Studies courses at the University of Michigan Medical School. Interview transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory methodology to identify emerging themes. Accuracy of interpretations and saturation of themes was confirmed by repeated contextual reading of the transcripts. Several major thematic codes emerged from the data. Facilitation of small-group discussions of psychosocial topics and doctoring fostered reflective approaches to patient care and teaching; enhanced interpersonal relationships between facilitators and their students, colleagues, and patients; and acted as a source of fulfillment and renewal among faculty facilitators. Small-group teaching of the art of doctoring may stimulate personal and professional growth among faculty facilitators and renewed interest in teaching and patient care.

Are There Income Effects on Global Willingness to Pay for Biodiversity Conservation?

This paper is concerned with the empirical relationship between biodiversity conservation values and income. We use random effects panel models to examine the effects of income, and then GDP per capita, on willingness to pay for habitat and biodiversity conservation. In a meta-analysis, 145 Willingness To Pay estimates for biodiversity conservation where existence value plays a major role were collected from 46 contingent valuation studies across six continents. Other effects included in the meta-analysis were the study year; habitat type; continent; scope as presented to respondents; whether WTP bids were for preventing a deterioration or gaining an improvement in conservation, whether a specific species or specific habitat was protected; whether the questionnaire used a dichotomous choice or an open-ended format; distribution format; and the choice of payment vehicle. GDP per capita seemed to perform as well as an explanatory variable as respondent’s mean stated income, indicating that it is wealth in society as a whole which determines variations in WTP. Even if large variation, our main conclusion is, that the demand for biodiversity conservation rises with a nation’s wealth, but the income elasticity of willingness to pay is less than one.

Evolution of a Treatment Programme for Sex Offenders: Changes to the NSW Custody-Based Intensive Treatment (CUBIT)

As a result of a high treatment attrition rate two significant changes were made from August 2005 to the New South Wales Department of Corrective Services custody-based intensive treatment programme for sexual offenders (CUBIT) that directly reflect advances in the field of sex offender treatment. This article outlines the rationale and outcomes of these changes. It is argued that the implementation of an open-ended (rolling) group treatment format has significant advantages over a closed group treatment format. Secondly, the programme is now emphasizing the importance of the use of positive therapist characteristics within the programme and in so doing has moved away from an overly manualized delivery of cognitive behaviour treatment. The positive outcomes produced by the changes are discussed.

Converting Sentiments to Dollars: Scaling and Incommensurability Problems in the Evaluation of Child Support Payments

We examine how ordinary citizens translate intuitions about child welfare and distributive justice into dollar amounts for post-divorce child support payments. Our analyses indicate that child support judgments are quite sensitive to anchoring and question-wording effects. Nevertheless, we find much that is both interpretable and principled in these judgments. For example, the amounts that citizens recommended in an open-ended format (name) were nearly identical to the amounts other citizens selected from an array of choices in a multiple choice format (choose).

Barriers and Motivations for Women to Participate in Cardiovascular Trials

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of mortality in Canadian women. However, the number of women recruited into cardiovascular clinical trials continues to be low relative to the prevalence of cardiovascular disease. To determine why the recruitment of women into cardiovascular trials continues to be problematic, we prospectively examined the barriers and motivations of women contacted for the Raloxifene Use for The Heart (RUTH) study. MethodsTwo hundred seventy postmenopausal women were surveyed. Regardless of study eligibility, women were asked to comment on their reasons for participating or not participating in cardiovascular trials in an open-ended single question format. All answers were recorded and grouped accordingly. ResultsFifty-four percent of women surveyed indicated they would not participate in clinical research, and 46% indicated that they would. Motivations reported for participating in a cardiovascular clinical trial included personal health benefits (82.2%), interest in research (44.1%), and the possibility of benefiting society (29.1%). Reasons for declining participation included personal illness (24.8%), transportation issues (17.9%), reluctance to increase medication (15.2%), and concern about adverse health effects (13.1%). ConclusionAs reported by our cohort of postmenopausal women, the major barrier to entering a randomized controlled trial related to cardiovascular disease was the perception that participation would present an increased burden on health and time. Our experience suggests that researchers need to educate women on the importance of clinical trials and that they also need to provide practical solutions to barriers such as transportation.

Joseph A. Labuta and His Life in Music Education: An Oral History

Oral history is a relatively new technique in historical research. Some of the first efforts in oral history (of former slaves and poor rural white populations in the southeastern United States) were sponsored by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. (1) Allen Nevins started the oral history program at Columbia University in 1948, (2) and in 1966, the Oral History Association was formed. (3) A primary purpose of oral history has been to document memories and reflections of past events as seen through the eyes of a particular person. Oral history differs from a traditional autobiography in that the interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee serves to draw out memories and clarify issues provided by the interviewee. (4) The result of this process is the creation of a primary source document that can be used by other historical researchers. Several oral history projects have been conducted in music and in music education. Musical figures such as Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, and Charles Leonhard have been studied using these techniques. (5) One of Charles Leonhard's former students was Joseph Anthony Labuta, who followed his mentor's example and also became a leader in the music education profession. He is the focus of this oral history project. The purpose of this study was to create a preliminary biography on Dr. Joseph A. Labuta, one of the major figures in American music education during the second half of the twentieth century. Labuta's recalled memories were used to explore selected aspects of music education history during that period. Labuta, professor emeritus of music education at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, has written four well-known music education textbooks that are still currently in use, as well as influential articles and monographs. (6) He has been a leader in the field of music education in the United States, holding a number of offices at the state and national levels of MENC: The National Association for Music Education.(7) Over the course of his career, Labuta has left a legacy of more than 900 music education and conducting students who have benefited through his teaching. (8) Method Labuta was contacted by the study author and agreed to participate in the project. Dates for the face-to-face interviews were set, and Labuta provided the researcher with preliminary written material to assist in the preparation of the interviews. Oral history life techniques were used to create the materials for this project. (9) A series of autobiographical interviews were conducted with Labuta, focusing on a variety of topics related to his career. Bennett's 1992 oral history project on Charles Leonhard served as a model for the selection of interview topics. (10) The list of topics below was agreed upon by the researcher and Labuta. 1. General Life Overview 2. Public School Teaching 3. University of Illinois 4. Central Methodist College/Shepherd College 5. Leonhard and University of Illinois 6. Early Articles 7. Wayne State University, 1967-1977 8. Wayne State, 1977-1987 9. Wayne State, 1987-present (retirement) 10. Courses 11. Books: Teaching Musicianship in the High School Band 12. Books: Basic Conducting Techniques 13. Books: A Guide to Accountability in Music Instruction 14. Books: Music Education: Historical Contexts and Perspectives 15. Articles 16. Journal of Research in Music Education (JRME) Editorial Committee 17. Professional Activities (officer, clinician, conductor) 18. Student Accomplishments An open-ended format was used, based on the outline prepared for each interview session. (11) Neutral, open-ended questions were used to elicit responses from Labuta and were organized either by chronology or by general topic area. …

Positive, Negative, and Disparate-Women’s Differing Long-Term Psychosocial Experiences of Bilateral or Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

Because of recent studies showing strong prevention benefit and acceptable psychosocial outcomes, more women may be considering prophylactic mastectomy. A growing literature shows some positive psychosocial outcomes for women with bilateral prophylactic mastectomy, but less is known about women with contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. Several surveys have shown that a large majority of women with prophylactic mastectomy report satisfaction with their decisions to have the procedure when asked in a quantitative, closed-ended format. We sought to explore the nuances of women's satisfaction with the procedure using a qualitative, open-ended format. We included open-ended questions as part of a mailed survey on psychosocial outcomes of prophylactic mastectomy. The research team coded and analyzed these responses using qualitative methods. We used simple descriptive statistics to compare the demographics of the entire survey sample to those women who answered the open-ended questions; the responses to the open- and closed-ended satisfaction questions, and the responses of women with bilateral and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. Seventy-one percent of women with prophylactic mastectomy responded to the survey and 48% provided open-ended responses about psychosocial outcomes. Women's open-ended responses regarding psychosocial outcomes could be coded into one of three general categories--positive, negative, and disparate. In the subgroup of women with both open- and closed-ended responses, over 70% of women providing negative and disparate comments to the open-ended question simultaneously indicated satisfaction on a closed-ended question. Negative and disparate open-ended responses were twice as common among women with bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (52%) than women with contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (26%). These findings suggest that even among women who report general satisfaction with their decision to have prophylactic mastectomy via closed-ended survey questions, lingering negative psychosocial outcomes can remain, particularly among women with bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. This dichotomy could be an important factor to discuss in counseling women considering the procedure.

Assessing quality of metaphor interpretation by right hemisphere damaged patients

Patients with right hemisphere damage (RHD) can display various cognitive-linguistic deficits including disrupted comprehension of figurative language such as metaphor (Myers, 1999 and Tompkins, 1995). Most studies documenting figurative language comprehension difficulties have used multiple choice tasks (Van Lancker & Kempler, 1987). Multiple choice formats are generally easier than open-ended verbal explanation formats and, therefore, may be less sensitive and, accordingly, less adequate for documenting clinically relevant changes in the quality of comprehension over time. However, scoring a patient’s extended verbal responses can be subjective. Also, there is uncertainty whether the resulting scores provide only ordinal information or approach interval level measurement, which makes statistical analysis easier. Although scales have been developed for scoring proverb interpretation (Gorham, 1956 and Nippold et al., 1997), we are not aware of a scoring system for representing the quality of metaphor interpretations.

Career Evolution and Knowledge of Elite Coaches of Swimmers With a Physical Disability

In the last decade there has been an increase in empirical research on coaches of elite able-bodied athletes, while coaches of athletes with a disability have generally been overlooked. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to address this oversight by examining the career evolution and knowledge of these coaches. Six elite coaches of swimmers with a physical disability were interviewed using an unstructured, open-ended interview format. Results revealed information pertaining to the coaches' backgrounds, career evolution, and knowledge in training and competition. As well, all coaches stressed the importance of coaching their athletes as an elite swimmer as opposed to coaching a swimmer with a disability.

Career Evolution and Knowledge of Elite Coaches of Swimmers With a Physical Disability

In the last decade there has been an increase in empirical research on coaches of elite able-bodied athletes, while coaches of athletes with a disability have generally been overlooked. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to address this oversight by examining the career evolution and knowledge of these coaches. Six elite coaches of swimmers with a physical disability were interviewed using an unstructured, open-ended interview format. Results revealed information pertaining to the coaches' backgrounds, career evolution, and knowledge in training and competition. As well, all coaches stressed the importance of coaching their athletes as an elite swimmer as opposed to coaching a swimmer with a disability.

Kidneys and Controversies in the Islamic Republic of Iran: The Case of Organ Sale

Iran is the only official Shia Islamic country with Ithna-Ashari or Twelver Shiism as the dominant form. For various reasons in part due to the interpretive approach to jurisprudence in Ithna-Ashari Shiism but also due to other aspects of Iranian culture the Iranian approach to medical science and technology is dramatically different from that in most other Islamic countries. In Iran what is and is not considered Islamically acceptable is constantly being renegotiated depending upon social political economic and technological conditions. This kind of flexibility and often pragmatic approach to social problems has major positive and progressive implications for health policy on numerous levels. However the drive to embrace new technologies and capabilities can also precede or override ethical deliberations. Drawing on fundamental religious and ethical debates within the country as well as interviews and observations in an Iranian transplant center this article investigates Islamic discourse perceptions of life death and the body and the case of organ sale/donation in Iran. This article is based on a qualitative pilot investigation conducted in 2002 in Shiraz Iran. Interviews were conducted with health professionals working in transplant centers with recipients of donated organs from living related (LR) and living unrelated (LU) donors and with living commercial donors themselves using a semi-structured open-ended format. Observation was also conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in the Namazi Hospital Organ Transplant Ward. This ward is arguably the largest and most successful kidney transplant ward in Iran and in 2002 was the only center which also conducted liver transplants. Iran is of particular interest in the transplant world because it is the only country where there is an official state-sponsored system of financial remuneration for kidneys and liver portions from living unrelated donors. (excerpt)

Teachers' stereotypes of Asian, Black, and White students.

This research uses two different measurement operations to examine contemporary stereotypes of Asians, Blacks, and Whites held by an ethnically diverse sample of teachers. Data were drawn from a sample of 188 teachers representing over 160 schools in Southern California. Consistent with previous research, participants endorsed a “model minority” stereotype of Asians with regard to intelligence, academic striving, introversion, and rule compliance. Contrary to expectation, there was substantial congruence in the degree of uniformity and favorableness of the stereotypic traits associated with Blacks and Whites, with participants’ revealing both strong positive and negative trait associations. The use of both open-ended and fixed-format measurement strategies revealed some method variation in the assessment of participants racial beliefs, with the open-ended format suggesting more complex and heterogeneous racial representations. Results are discussed in terms of methodological issues in stereotype assessment and implications for reducing the impact of racial biases in psychoeducational evaluations.

Factors Influencing the Use of Energy Conservation Strategies by Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

To examine the factors influencing the implementation and continued use of energy conservation strategies among persons with multiple sclerosis. A qualitative research design was used. Eight persons with multiple sclerosis who participated in a 6-week energy conservation educational course delivered by teleconference were interviewed using a semistructured, open-ended format. Participants were asked about their thoughts, feelings, and actions resulting from course participation. They also were engaged in a card-sort activity to promote discussion about using the energy conservation strategies. The data were analyzed thematically. Three themes directly addressed and interacted to enhance or hinder the use of energy conservation strategies: (1) experience with the disease, (2) sense of self, and (3) environmental factors. The fourth theme of education emphasized how participation in the educational course and use of the strategies afterward gave participants a new ability to manage their lives with multiple sclerosis. The findings of this study demonstrated that the use of energy conservation strategies is not dependent on a single factor but rather on complex, interrelated contextual factors.

Improving the use of research evidence in guideline development: 4. Managing conflicts of interests.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO), like many other organisations around the world, has recognised the need to use more rigorous processes to ensure that health care recommendations are informed by the best available research evidence. This is the fourth of a series of 16 reviews that have been prepared as background for advice from the WHO Advisory Committee on Health Research to WHO on how to achieve this.ObjectivesWe reviewed the literature on conflicts of interest to answer the following questions:1. What is the best way to obtain complete and accurate disclosures on financial ties and other competing interests?2. How to determine when a disclosed financial tie or other competing interest constitutes a conflict of interest?3. When a conflict of interest is identified, how should the conflict be managed?4. How could conflict of interest policies be enforced?MethodsWe searched PubMed, the Cochrane Methodology Register and selectively searched for the published policies of several organizations, We did not conduct systematic reviews ourselves. Our conclusions are based on the available evidence, consideration of what WHO and other organisations are doing and logical arguments.Key questions and answersWhat is the best way to obtain complete and accurate disclosures on financial ties and other competing interests?• Although there is little empirical evidence to guide the development of disclosure forms, minimal or open-ended formats are likely to be uninformative. We recommend the development of specific, detailed, structured forms that solicit as much information as possible about the nature and extent of the competing interests.How to determine when a disclosed financial tie or other competing interest constitutes a conflict of interest?• There is no empirical evidence to suggest that explicit criteria are preferable to ad hoc committee decisions when deciding if a disclosed financial tie is a conflict of interest. However, explicit criteria may make decision-making easier.When a conflict of interest is identified, how should the conflict be managed?• Descriptive studies suggest that appropriate management strategies are best determined on a case-by-case basis. Thus, WHO should use a wide range of management strategies to address disclosed conflicts of interest, with public disclosure of conflicts associated with each meeting as a minimum and recusal of conflicted individuals as the other extreme.How could conflict of interest policies be enforced?• Although there are no empirical studies of the enforcement of conflict if interest policies, descriptive studies of other organizations and institutions suggest that WHO convene a standing committee to review all financial disclosure statements prior to the commencement of committee meetings/hearings and to make management recommendations when necessary. A standard policy requiring all financial ties to be made public (i.e., recorded into the meeting minutes) should reduce the number of problematic cases. In instances where the conflicts seem intractable, a recommendation of recusal may be necessary to protect the greater interests of WHO and its constituents.

A Delphi Approach to Reach Consensus on Primary Care Guidelines Regarding Youth Violence Prevention

Anticipatory guidance is a cornerstone of modern pediatric practice. In recognition of its importance for child well being, injury prevention counseling is a standard element of that guidance. Over the last 20 years, there has been growing recognition that intentional injury or violence is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth. The US Surgeon General identified youth violence as a major public health issue and a top priority. Yet, only recently has the scope of injury prevention counseling been expanded to include violence. Pediatric health care providers agree that youth violence-prevention counseling should be provided, yet the number of topics available, the already lengthy list of other anticipatory guidance topics to be covered, developmental considerations, and the evidence base make the selection of an agreed-on set a considerable challenge. The purpose of this study was to systematically identify and prioritize specific counseling topics in violence prevention that could be integrated into anticipatory guidance best practice. A modified electronic Delphi process was used to gain consensus among 50 national multidisciplinary violence-prevention experts. Participants were unaware of other participants' identities. The process consisted of 4 serial rounds of inquiry beginning with a broad open-ended format for the generation of anticipatory guidance and screening topics across 5 age groups (infant, toddler, school age, adolescent, and all ages). Each subsequent round narrowed the list of topics toward the development of a manageable set of essential topics for screening and counseling about positive youth development and violence prevention. Forty-seven unique topics were identified, spanning birth to age 21 years. Topics cover 4 broad categories (building blocks): physical safety, parent centered, child centered, and community connection. Participants placed topics into their developmentally appropriate visit-based schedule and made suggestions for an appropriate topic reinforcement schedule. The resulting schedule provides topics for introduction and reinforcement at each visit. The Delphi technique proved a useful approach for accessing expert opinion, for analyzing and synthesizing results, for achieving consensus, and for setting priorities among the numerous anticipatory guidance and assessment topics relevant for raising resilient, violence-free youth.