Methodology 27 method is based on the filtering and shaping of this middle ground for situations in which there is some evidence, but not yet complete knowledge, with the greater objective to structure insight for an improved understanding. In this case, as the media landscape crescendos and the effects are becoming heightened and more pronounced, this could be argued as a significant time of decreased speculation, an increased amount of insight and opinion from practitioners, and arguably, an “incomplete state of knowledge concerning either the nature of the problem or the components which must be included in a successful solution.” (Delbecq et al, 1975, cited from Adler & Ziglio,1996:6)
Though the research style of Delphi is flexible and there are no universally agreed guidelines for practice (Keeney et al, 2006), a general assessment of researches agree that the Delphi practice should include: a panel of experts; two or more rounds of questioning, usually in the form of structured questionnaires; a qualitative, quantitative or mix method approach to analysis; and controlled feedback. Rowe and Wright (1999) suggested that the traditional method of the Delphi had four attributing factors: anonymity of Delphi participants to freely express their opinions without any social pressure; iteration from round to round to allow the panel members to refine, clarify or change their views in light of other's responses; controlled feedback; and an analysis and interpretation of data. Though there is no ‘one-fit-for-all’ research design, Adler & Ziglio (1996:9) suggests that in “virtually every use of the Delphi method” two phases can be identified: the “exploration phase”, firstly, and the “evaluation phase”, secondly.