What is the primary purpose of the Delphi Method?

The primary purpose of the Delphi Method is to obtain expert opinions and reach consensus. This research technique involves a structured process of gathering insights from a panel of experts through a series of questionnaires or interviews over multiple rounds. Experts provide their opinions anonymously, and after each round, a facilitator summarizes the feedback, allowing participants to reconsider their views based on the group's insights. This iterative process encourages discussion and helps refine opinions, ultimately leading to a more informed consensus on a given topic.

In contrast, the other options relate to different research methods and goals. Random surveys focus on collecting data from a broad population without necessarily seeking expert insights. Gathering data from a large population implies a quantitative approach that does not engage the detailed qualitative feedback typical of the Delphi Method. Analyzing quantitative data from experiments aligns more with experimental methods that rely on empirical data rather than consensus-building among experts.