Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26846316›Full record

ReviewInternational journal of clinical pharmacy2016

How to use the nominal group and Delphi techniques.

Sara S McMillan, Michelle King, Mary P Tully

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in International journal of clinical pharmacy, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 768 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
768citing papers in PubMed, 5 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

768 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Defining the Terminology for Acute Ear Discharge in Children: Systematic Review and Expert Consensus Using the Nominal Group Technique.Clinical otolaryngology : official journal of ENT-UK ; official journal of Netherlands Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology & Cervico-Facial Surgery · 2025
    Pooled it
  2. Guideline
  3. Guideline
  4. Guideline
  5. Evidence-based joint statement position of perioperative bone optimization in the arthroplasty candidate, from FEMECOT, AMMOM, ACOMM, SCCOT, SECOT, SEFRAOS, SEIOMM.Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 2025
    Guideline
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Palliative care development as a solution to mitigate the human crisis of cancer in low- and middle-income countries: a theory of change approach.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  10. Article
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  12. Italian consensus on pediatric myopia: findings from a three-round modified delphi study.Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie · 2026
    Article
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  14. Review
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  20. The Global Airways Unit: A Multidisciplinary Strategy for Early Diagnosis and Comorbidity Detection.World journal of otorhinolaryngology - head and neck surgery · 2026
    Review

708 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Sara S McMillanSchool of Pharmacy, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
Michelle KingSchool of Pharmacy, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
Mary P TullyManchester Pharmacy School, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK. mary.tully@manchester.ac.uk.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and Delphi Technique are consensus methods used in research that is directed at problem-solving, idea-generation, or determining priorities. While consensus methods are commonly used in health services literature, few studies in pharmacy practice use these methods. This paper provides an overview of the NGT and Delphi technique, including the steps involved and the types of research questions best suited to each method, with examples from the pharmacy literature. Methodology The NGT entails face-to-face discussion in small groups, and provides a prompt result for researchers. The classic NGT involves four key stages: silent generation, round robin, clarification and voting (ranking). Variations have occurred in relation to generating ideas, and how 'consensus' is obtained from participants. The Delphi technique uses a multistage self-completed questionnaire with individual feedback, to determine consensus from a larger group of 'experts.' Questionnaires have been mailed, or more recently, e-mailed to participants. When to use The NGT has been used to explore consumer and stakeholder views, while the Delphi technique is commonly used to develop guidelines with health professionals. Method choice is influenced by various factors, including the research question, the perception of consensus required, and associated practicalities such as time and geography. Limitations The NGT requires participants to personally attend a meeting. This may prove difficult to organise and geography may limit attendance. The Delphi technique can take weeks or months to conclude, especially if multiple rounds are required, and may be complex for lay people to complete.

Indexed as

ConsensusDelphi TechniqueResearch DesignFocus GroupsHumansPharmacy ResearchConsensus methodsDelphi techniqueNominal group technique

Identifiers

PMID26846316
PMCPMC4909789

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.