A dissensus based online Delphi approach: An explorative research tool

This paper presents an adapted Delphi methodology that is, contrary to the classical Delphi design is not aiming to minimize expert estimation variance, but to maximize the range of expert opinions inputted sequentially into an online system. After discussing the traditional Delphi approach and its dissensus based derivatives, the author opens the case for a dissensus Delphi based explorative research tool with special consideration of the Delphi aim, the expert sample and the Delphi design. The proposed online Delphi process is then presented conceptually. Next, the proposed tool is demonstrated based on a prototype, exploring the barrier factors to the adoption of mobile data services. A discussion on the theoretical design and practical R&D experience of the dissensus based online Delphi approach concludes the paper.