TY - JOUR
T1 - The Delphi process as a tool for decision making. The case of vocational training of people with handicaps
AU - Hakim, Simon
AU - Weinblatt, J.
N1 - Funding Information:
This paper is based upon a research project that was supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, and granted to the Development Disability Center at Temple University. Special thanks are extended to Professors Edward Newman and Diane Bryen who directed the study and made this article possible. Requests for reprints should be sent to Simon Hakim, Department of Economics, Temple University, Philadelphia,
PY - 1993/1/1
Y1 - 1993/1/1
N2 - This paper discusses the need for consensus among groups and individuals who are involved in the training of people with handicaps. It is hypothesized that an a priori clear definition of the goals and objectives by decision makers who make the public funds available will provide guidelines to agencies and social workers who actually train the clients. Statements of goals and objectives may lead to more effective program planning and delivery of services. This investigation revealed that neither the legislators nor the executives in the federal government who are charged to oversee these programs were a priori aware about their goals and objectives, nor do they share similar preferences. The authors used a Delphi method to test whether consensus and consistency exist among the groups and within each group. The following groups were investigated: federal legislators, federal and state policy makers, directors of rehabilitation centers, and the staff who actually train the clients. The views of academicians, who are involved in analyzing rehabilitation programs, and teaching rehabilitation personnel are included to provide impartial independent assessment of the legislation's goals and objectives. Lack of consensus in the hierarchical chain may be one of the factors that causes inefficient use of resources. Further, if the perception of the legislative goals along the chain varies from that of the legislators, rehabilitation actions that yield outcomes undesired by legislators may result. If it is assumed that legislators exhibit society's preferences, then actions by providers of services that do not coincide with the federal and state legislation will lead to solutions that are not as appealing to society. The study highlights different perceptions of the goals and objectives of the funds channeled to the rehabilitation of handicapped people. It recommends the use of more explicit guidelines and suggests the Delphi method as such a vehicle.
AB - This paper discusses the need for consensus among groups and individuals who are involved in the training of people with handicaps. It is hypothesized that an a priori clear definition of the goals and objectives by decision makers who make the public funds available will provide guidelines to agencies and social workers who actually train the clients. Statements of goals and objectives may lead to more effective program planning and delivery of services. This investigation revealed that neither the legislators nor the executives in the federal government who are charged to oversee these programs were a priori aware about their goals and objectives, nor do they share similar preferences. The authors used a Delphi method to test whether consensus and consistency exist among the groups and within each group. The following groups were investigated: federal legislators, federal and state policy makers, directors of rehabilitation centers, and the staff who actually train the clients. The views of academicians, who are involved in analyzing rehabilitation programs, and teaching rehabilitation personnel are included to provide impartial independent assessment of the legislation's goals and objectives. Lack of consensus in the hierarchical chain may be one of the factors that causes inefficient use of resources. Further, if the perception of the legislative goals along the chain varies from that of the legislators, rehabilitation actions that yield outcomes undesired by legislators may result. If it is assumed that legislators exhibit society's preferences, then actions by providers of services that do not coincide with the federal and state legislation will lead to solutions that are not as appealing to society. The study highlights different perceptions of the goals and objectives of the funds channeled to the rehabilitation of handicapped people. It recommends the use of more explicit guidelines and suggests the Delphi method as such a vehicle.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=12644309065&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/0149-7189(93)90034-6
DO - 10.1016/0149-7189(93)90034-6
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:12644309065
SN - 0149-7189
VL - 16
SP - 25
EP - 38
JO - Evaluation and Program Planning
JF - Evaluation and Program Planning
IS - 1
ER -
