The Delphi technique was selected for use in this study due to its ability to obtain expert input from individuals who were widely dispersed geographically.
This manuscript describes a modification developed for use with the Delphi technique, which was selected for use in a curriculum competency study. Each technique has advantages and disadvantages, especially in dealing with diverse groups of experts involving relatively large data sets. These techniques span a range of approaches from observing workers on the job to conducting meetings with workers to conducting analyses based on work previously conducted on related occupations ( These include such tools as occupational analysis, DACUM (Developing a Curriculum), and the Delphi technique ( A number of techniques have been used that are generally associated with the competency-based approach to curriculum development. In such situations there is often a large number of competencies to be evaluated by recognized experts in the content area. This is especially true when a research topic is very broad and when new curricular areas are being developed. The findings also indicate that the factors that erode the validity and usefulness of traditional modified Delphi studies also negatively affect the rotational approach.Īn obstacle facing many educators has been identifying an appropriate research methodology for developing curriculum when teaching vocational subjects. Based on the outcomes of this study, the rotational approach represents a promising mechanism for extending the usefulness of the Delphi tool to larger data sets.
The context of the study was the identification of competencies needed to update training requirements for 21st century plastering contractors. The approach consisted of rotating sub-sets of a larger set of competencies through three sub-panels and then examining the viability of the approach.
This study describes and illustrates a modification of the Delphi technique that was designed to extend its applicability to large competency data sets. The Modified Delphi Technique - A Rotational ModificationĬalifornia State University, San Bernardino