This paper presents Delphi, the natural language component of the BBN Spoken Language System. Delphi is a domainindependent natural language question answering system that is solidly based on linguistic principles, yet which is also robust to ungrammatical input. It includes a domain-independent, broad-coverage grammar of English. Analysis components include an agenda-based best-first parser an...

Communication structure is a way of improving the effectiveness of group communications by coordinating group members’ individual efforts. This study investigates the use of Delphi, a communication structure which has been widely used to collect ideas and opinions from geographically dispersed experts. A new approach in Delphi implementation using asynchronous ComputerMediated Communication (CM...

The extent of consensus (or the lack thereof) among experts in emerging fields of innovation can serve as antecedents of scientific, societal, investor and stakeholder synergy or conflict. Naturally, how we measure consensus is of great importance to science and technology strategic foresight. The Delphi methodology is a widely used anonymous survey technique to evaluate consensus among a panel...

In addition to the inevitable hype, Microsoft’s .NET initiative has introduced several interesting technical features such as the move from APIs to namespaces and the integration of different programming languages. The .NET Framework will allow developers to use at least sixteen languages in addition to Microsoft’s mainstream VB and C# etc. Of particular interest to the writers is that Borland ...

Standardized and objective design criteria for evaluating web-based learning platforms can effectively distinguish the quality of a platform and, therefore, contribute in improving web-based learning outcomes. This is a two-phase study, in which Delphi technique and heuristic evaluation were employed in the first phase to develop the evaluation criteria and scale of web-based learning platforms...

The purpose of this study is to explore the ranking of international airlines operation cost control strategies based on empirical studies of an international full-service airlines operation in Taiwan. Cost control has become more and more important for airlines in recent years, especially after experiencing a severe increase in crude oil prices and the 2008 serious financial crisis. In this st...

Background and aims: The ability to acquire the best evidence efficiently is important for busy healthcare professionals who have to make decision within a limited time. However, the current available assessment tools in evidence-based medicine (EBM), e.g. Berlin questionnaire and Fresno test, were not designed for examining evidence-searching capability. The objective of this study was to deve...

European Union is an important global actor in terms of economy, welfare and soft security but its institutional development and ambitions has to consider both the issues of grand challenges, resilience, disaster management, in accordance with its citizens’ will and skills. The Lisbon Treaty as well as the recent legislation on civil protection produced incremental change and improved the Emerg...

Methods Recruitment will comprise two phases. In the primary phase, individuals identified through a systematic review of the literature of yoga for musculoskeletal conditions will be invited to participate. In the secondary phase, a snowball technique will allow primary phase participants to recommend other researchers to contribute to the Delphi process. Inclusion criteria are involvement in ...

Introduction. The Delphi technique is widely used in library and information science research. However, many researchers in the field fail to employ standard statistical tests when using this technique. This makes the technique vulnerable to criticisms of its reliability and validity. The general goal of this article is to explore how nonparametric statistical techniques could mitigate this dra...