Gathering opinion and initiating debate: the success of the Delphi Method in purely qualitative research

Abstract

Certain evaluation criteria have emerged frequently from the published literature on Holocaust film. This suggested that it might have been possible to establish a list of such criteria, to provide a framework for the evaluation of Holocaust films. A Delphi survey of United Kingdom Holocaust Studies experts was used to investigate this possibility. The survey elicited in-depth opinions from the experts, which the researcher analysed in order to conclude that evaluating the success of a Holocaust film is dependent upon the subjective interpretation of the individual viewer. This article concentrates upon the methodology used in this study, examining the suitability of the Delphi Method as a tool for rich qualitative research.