Using consensus from experts to inform a shared understanding of subjective terms

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Research
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Linguistic Analysis

Background:

• Consensus methods like Delphi studies and nominal group technique are established in healthcare for developing services, processes, and policies.
• Concept analysis and meta-synthesis are increasingly utilized for collective understanding of subjective terms.
• Linguistic clarity is crucial for rigorous healthcare research, particularly when dealing with nuanced or subjective concepts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the application of consensus methods for achieving linguistic clarity in healthcare research.
• To explore how consensus methods can be integrated into research designs for subjective term definition.
• To demonstrate the value of consensus methods in refining conceptual understanding within healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on consensus methods in healthcare research.
• Analysis of the utility of consensus methods for defining subjective terms.
• Development of a sample research design incorporating consensus methods and interpretive synthesis.

Main Results:

• Consensus methods are deemed appropriate for establishing linguistic clarity concerning subjective terms.
• A practical research design example is provided, showcasing the integration of consensus methods.
• Interpretive synthesis, combined with consensus methods, can significantly deepen the understanding of subjective concepts.

Conclusions:

• Effective use of consensus methods enhances the clarity and richness of subjective terms in healthcare research.
• Understanding and achieving linguistic clarity is a vital step for researchers in the healthcare field.
• The proposed approach offers a practical tool for researchers to mitigate ambiguity in subjective terminology.