Use of the Delphi Method for Identification of Priority Topics for Education Policy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14712/23362189.2019.1571Keywords:
education policy, Czech education system, empirical survey, Delphi methodAbstract
Aim: The paper describes the methodology, results and conclusions of the Delphi survey carried out within the project “Identification of priority topics in education” in the spring of 2019.
The Delphi survey is a research method used for the structured deliberation of experts and stakeholders about topics through multiple, iterative rounds of data collection (surveys). It is widely used for creating consensus and gaining a better understanding of specific issues related to public or corporate policies. In this particular case, the Delphi method was used to gain a deeper insight into the attitudes and opinions of the educational community about deficiencies in the current education system in the Czech Republic.
Methodology: The Delphi survey was carried out electronically in two rounds, in which 39 statements on the shortcomings of the Czech education system were evaluated in terms of agreement or disagreement, and in terms of their significance for a positive change in education. In total, 275 respondents participated in the first round and 151 in the second round of the survey. The respondents represented a diverse spectrum of stakeholders active in the Czech education system.
Results: The survey resulted in a set of suggestions on topics and issues that should be addressed by current and future education policies in the Czech Republic. Next to that, the Delphi survey generated a set of more than 10,000 comments that better explain the respondents’ attitudes to the topics under consideration.
Conclusions: The survey confirmed and quantitatively supported the main conclusions on deficiencies in the Czech education system that have been discussed in the professional community for a long time. At the same time, it provided a broad information base on attitudes in the educational community. From a methodological point of view, the study contributed to the discussion about the benefits and limits of the Delphi method used in the process of formulating public policies.
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