Engaging multi-disciplinary practitioners in a complex field of social policy: A methodological discussion paper

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ling, Tom

Contributor:

Bruckmayer, Michaela

Language:

English

Other Title:

Engaging multi-disciplinary practitioners in a complex field of social policy

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, Calif. RAND Corporation 2021

Summary:

The objective of this paper is to share lessons learnt from engaging multi-disciplinary practitioners in a complex field of social policy in a consensus building exercise using an adapted Delphi-method. Multi-disciplinary practitioners include all professionals, policymakers and researchers who can affect, or are affected by, the success of the organisation or service in question. This methodology paper discusses just one very focused component of the challenge of engaging multi-disciplinary practitioners: how practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds can be engaged through surveys. The issue of concern in the survey we conducted was Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This report focuses solely on the methods used, and is written for other organisations or researchers considering a similar approach. Suggestions include using participants' own language in subsequent surveys; minimising selection criteria of participants; and taking practical steps to manage potential weaknesses in the Delphi method such as the required time commitment of both researchers and participants.