Which of the following best describes the Delphi technique?

The Delphi technique is best described as a structured communication technique for gaining consensus among a group of experts. This method is designed to gather and refine opinions on a specific topic or issue through multiple rounds of questioning and feedback. Typically, a facilitator sends out a series of questionnaires to a panel of experts, who respond anonymously. After each round, the facilitator summarizes the responses and shares the results with the group, allowing participants to reconsider their answers based on the feedback from others. This iterative process continues until a consensus is reached, or the responses stabilize.

The strength of the Delphi technique lies in its ability to harness the knowledge and perspectives of diverse experts while minimizing the influence of dominant individuals, as the anonymity encourages open and honest communication. This makes it particularly useful for complex issues where there may not be a clear answer or where expert opinion may vary significantly.

The other options do not accurately reflect the characteristics of the Delphi technique. For instance, it's not a quantitative survey method, nor is it an experimental design, which typically involves testing hypotheses through controlled conditions. Additionally, while case studies can provide valuable insights, they don't align with the structured consensus-building approach that defines the Delphi technique.