Tag: INTERVIEWS

Introduction to Delphi Research Technique

By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

Delphi research is a methodical and structured communication technique, originally developed as a systematic, interactive forecasting method which relies on a panel of experts. The Delphi method is widely used in various research fields including health, education, and social sciences, aiming to achieve convergence of opinion on a specific real-world issue. The essence of the method lies in a series of rounds of questionnaires sent to a panel of selected experts. Responses are collected and aggregated after each round, and anonymized results are shared with the panel until consensus is reached, or the returns diminish marginally.

Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Delphi Research

Step 1: Define the Problem and Research Questions

The first step in Delphi research is to clearly define the problem and establish specific research questions that need answering. This involves identifying the key issues at hand and formulating questions that are specific, measurable, and suitable for expert interrogation. It is crucial that the problem is framed in a way that harnesses the experts’ knowledge effectively.

Step 2: Choose a Facilitator

A neutral facilitator, often a researcher, is responsible for designing the study, choosing participants, distributing questionnaires, and synthesizing the responses. The facilitator must possess good communication skills and be capable of summarizing information in an unbiased manner.

Step 3: Select the Panel of Experts

The quality of the Delphi study heavily depends on the panel selected. Experts should be chosen based on their knowledge, experience, and expertise related to the topic. The panel size can vary but typically ranges from 10 to 50 members. Diversity in panel composition can enrich the results, bringing in multiple perspectives.

Step 4: Develop and Send the First Round Questionnaire

The initial questionnaire should gather basic information on the issue and understand the perspectives of the experts. Open-ended questions are useful at this stage to capture a wide range of ideas and insights. The questionnaire should be clear and concise to avoid misinterpretation.

Step 5: Analyze Responses

After the first round, responses are collected and analyzed. The facilitator plays a key role in summarizing these responses, identifying areas of agreement and divergence. This summary is crucial as it forms the basis for subsequent rounds.

Step 6: Iterative Rounds

Based on the summary of the first round, subsequent questionnaires are crafted to delve deeper into the topic, focusing on areas where consensus was not achieved. These rounds are more structured and often use scaled questions to measure the level of agreement or the ranking of priorities. The process is repeated, with each round refining and narrowing down the scope of inquiry based on the latest set of responses.

Step 7: Reach Consensus

The Delphi process continues until a consensus is reached or when additional rounds no longer provide significant changes in responses. It’s important to define what constitutes a “consensus” in the context of the study, which can be a certain percentage agreement among the experts.

Step 8: Report the Findings

The final step involves compiling the findings into a comprehensive report that outlines the consensus achieved, differences in opinions, the methodology used, and the implications of the findings. The report should be clear and detailed to allow for further academic scrutiny or practical application.

Tips for Effective Delphi Research

  • Preparation is Key: Spend adequate time designing the study and formulating the questionnaire.
  • Maintain Anonymity: Anonymity helps prevent the dominance of certain opinions and reduces the bandwagon effect.
  • Feedback: Regular and clear feedback between rounds helps inform the experts of the group’s progress and encourages thoughtful responses.
  • Patience and Persistence: Delphi studies can be time-consuming, and maintaining engagement from all participants throughout the rounds can be challenging but is crucial for the richness of the data.

Conclusion

Delphi research is a powerful tool for harnessing expert opinion and fostering a deep understanding of complex issues. By following a structured and systematic process, researchers can effectively manage the complexities of group communications and make informed predictions or decisions in their fields of study.

References

Balasubramanian, R., & Agarwal, D. (2012). Delphi technique–a review. International Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 3(2), 16-26.

Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2023). Fundamentals of Research Writing and Uses of Research Methodologies. Edupedia Publications Pvt Ltd.

Green, R. A. (2014). The Delphi technique in educational research. Sage Open, 4(2), 2158244014529773.

Hasson, F., Keeney, S., & McKenna, H. (2000). Research guidelines for the Delphi survey technique. Journal of advanced nursing, 32(4), 1008-1015.

Hasson, F., & Keeney, S. (2011). Enhancing rigour in the Delphi technique research. Technological forecasting and social change, 78(9), 1695-1704.

Keeney, S., Hasson, F., & McKenna, H. P. (2001). A critical review of the Delphi technique as a research methodology for nursing. International journal of nursing studies, 38(2), 195-200.

Ogbeifun, E., Agwa-Ejon, J., Mbohwa, C., & Pretorius, J. H. (2016). The Delphi technique: A credible research methodology.

Williams, P. L., & Webb, C. (1994). The Delphi technique: a methodological discussion. Journal of advanced nursing, 19(1), 180-186.

How Should a Fresher Prepare for a Job Interview? Basic Tip!

As a fresher, when you step outside and have no idea, how to prepare and how to prepare for Interviews, Then this article is for you.

I am 24 years old, working with an NGO, still a fresher, but I have fought a lot to get off-campus placement. So I will tell you some basic steps as a fresher, how you should proceed to prepare for the interviews. I am assuming, you know the basic tips before your job interview

Be Confident

Be confident, you have prepared well and this should show in your confidence level in the interview.

Try to appear your best at the Interview

Your appearance should convey that you have taken the interview seriously.   Do not try to turn up in the interview in a manner that does not suit you.   Some basics in grooming will help.

a.       Well Groomed Hair
b.      Well Pressed Shirt
c.       Polished Shoes

Know about the company/organization

You should learn as much as you can about the company.  A good place to start is the company’s website.  If you have been referred through a friend also have a frank discussion with him or her.  Also, do a google search  on the company to understand what others are saying about the company.

Be prepared with questions for the Interviewer

Most interviewers will give you a chance to ask questions.  Use this opportunity to show your knowledge and interest in the company.  Also this is a good opportunity to clear any doubts that you have.

Address the Interviewer politely

It is always polite to refer to the Interviewer as SIR or Ma’am.  You can also address them their Surname (Mr. XXX or Mrs. XXX).  Do not use terms such as Honey, Girl, Dude, Yaar etc.

Do not be argumentative

Present your viewpoint and be professional.  If you do not agree with something the Interviewer has said do not spurn it as invalid.  Learn to understand their point of view even if it clashed with your own.  This does not mean that you need to accept their point of view.

Answer clearly and directly

Spell out your ideas as clearly as you can.  Also try to substantiate your ideas with examples.  Don’t be overly wordy and try to keep your answers to the point.  Do not try to deviate too much from the question.

Experience is not what happens to a man.
It is what a man does with what happens to him

Aldous Huxley

GO and Get that JOB!  Good Luck!

TYPES OF GENERAL INTERVIEWS

An interview is a structured conversation where one person asks questions, and the other one answers. The word “interview” refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee in common parlance.

The more you know about the interview style, the better you can prepare. Here is a list of some common interviews:

1. The Traditional Interview

This is the most common interview type: You sit down with a solo interviewer and answer a series of questions designed to help her figure out if you’re a great candidate for the job. You sit with an interviewer/s, face-to-face and answer a bunch of questions which helps them evaluate whether you are a perfect fit for their job.

A traditional interview has been very common. The length varies between half an hour to one and a half hours. You are usually asked many questions from some Common Interview Questions section and probably a few behavioral questions related to the job. If you clear this interview, you might be invited for another round of interviews to evaluate your eligibility for the job further.

2. The Telephone Interview

A call is a first-round screening to see if you are eligible to come for a full interview. Companies can initiate a telephone interview before inviting you in for a face-to-face meeting to get a better understanding of the type of candidate you are. You should do just as much preparation for a telephonic interview as you would for a face-to-face interview because your first impression is important. Make sure that you speak confidently, at a good pace, and try to answer all the questions that are asked.

Phone interviews are a more cost-effective way to screen candidates. A typical telephonic interview can range from 10 to 30 minutes. Also, do not forget to ask about the next step.

3. The Video Interview

With the pandemic, video interviews are becoming common. They’re becoming a regular part of the job application process for many companies. They take the phone interviews to the next level.
From choosing the right outfit to making sure that you have no technical difficulties, you’ll want to be absolutely ready.

4. The Panel Interview

The panel interview is popular among the public sector companies. The purpose of conducting such an interview is for staff members to meet the candidates and to keep the number of interviews a candidate has limited to one or two. This interview can take place if you’ll be reporting to several people or working with a team.

In a panel interview, you will be in a room with usually three to ten people. These interviews involve several people sitting on a panel with one as chairperson. You can answer the tough questions once, but it can also be tricky to make a strong connection with each panelist interviewing you.

Sometimes a person can ask you a series of questions, and other times only some panelists will ask questions while the rest of them listen. The questions can be traditional, behavioral, or both.

5. The Second Interview

You will be called for a second interview if you have passed the first interview. The company would like to know more and decide further if you are eligible to work for them.
To ace your second interview, you need to review your first interview. There is a possibility that you might be asked the same questions as the first interview, so you could better your answers this time.

Research about the company by checking their website, their clientele, recent news, etc and find out what the company is talking about.

these interviews may also be longer, some lasting half/full-day. Try finding out about the agenda for the day as this will make you feel less nervous about the process.

6. Behavioral-Based Interview

These interviews are also known as Critical Behavioral Interviewing (CBI). This type of interview is more complex than the usual interviewing techniques. Be structured in your answers and explain your examples in terms of the situation, the task, the action you took, and the outcome achieved.

Behavioral interviews provide the interviewer with information about how you think, respond and behave in certain situations. A great way to answer behavioral interview questions is to provide the interviewer with information known as the STAR Method: Situation, Task, Action, and Results.

Conclusion

Some interviews may be formal, others may be informal. However, it is important to remember that you are still being evaluated on whether you are a right fit for the company or not, so prepare well, and keep your answers clear and to be point.