Nominal Group Interview: A Structured Approach to Idea Generation

A nominal group interview (NGI) is a structured group technique employed in qualitative research to gather ideas and opinions from participants. It combines individual and group phases to ensure equal participation and minimize the influence of dominant individuals or the researcher.

Purpose

The primary goal of nominal group interviews is to generate a large amount of high-quality ideas or solutions on a specific topic. It allows participants to contribute their thoughts and perspectives while minimizing the impact of group dynamics.

Process

Nominal group interviews typically follow a fixed format consisting of four phases:

1. Individual Idea Generation

   Participants are given a specific question or topic and asked to generate ideas individually and silently.

2. Round-Robin Sharing of Ideas

   Participants take turns sharing their ideas with the group, one idea at a time. Each idea is recorded on a flip chart or whiteboard.

3. Group Discussion

   The group discusses each idea in detail, clarifying and evaluating its merits and limitations.

4. Individual Voting

   Participants individually and anonymously vote on the ideas to prioritize them.

This structured approach ensures that each participant has an equal opportunity to contribute and that all ideas are considered.

Benefits

Nominal group interviews offer several advantages over other group techniques, such as focus groups:

1. Equal Participation

   The structured format of NGI ensures that all participants have an equal opportunity to contribute their ideas, regardless of their personality or social status.

2. Minimized Group Dynamics

   The individual phases of NGI minimize the influence of group dynamics, such as the tendency for dominant individuals to control the discussion.

3. Access to Diverse Participants

   NGI can be used with participants who may find one-on-one interviews intimidating or who are reluctant to speak up in a group setting.

4. Efficient Idea Generation

   NGI is a relatively efficient technique for generating a large number of ideas in a short period of time.

Limitations

While nominal group interviews have many benefits, they also have some limitations:

1. Group Dynamics

   Although NGI minimizes group dynamics, they can still play a role, especially during the group discussion phase.

2. Dominant Individuals

   Certain individuals may still dominate the discussion, either intentionally or unintentionally, influencing the group’s decision-making.

3. Reliance on Question Formulation

   The success of NGI relies heavily on the clear and unambiguous formulation of the research question. A poorly formulated question can lead to irrelevant or unusable ideas.

4. Time-Consuming

   NGI can be more time-consuming than other group techniques, especially if there are a large number of participants or if the topic is complex.

FAQs

What is a nominal group interview?

A nominal group interview (NGI) is a structured group technique used in qualitative research to gather ideas and opinions from participants. It combines individual and group phases to ensure equal participation and minimize the influence of dominant individuals or the researcher.

What is the purpose of a nominal group interview?

The primary goal of NGIs is to generate a large amount of high-quality ideas or solutions on a specific topic. It allows participants to contribute their thoughts and perspectives while minimizing the impact of group dynamics.

How does a nominal group interview work?

NGIs typically follow a fixed format consisting of four phases:

1. Individual Idea Generation: Participants generate ideas individually and silently.
2. Round-Robin Sharing of Ideas: Participants take turns sharing their ideas with the group.
3. Group Discussion: The group discusses each idea in detail.
4. Individual Voting: Participants vote anonymously to prioritize the ideas.

What are the benefits of using a nominal group interview?

NGIs offer several benefits over other group techniques, such as:

• Equal participation for all participants
• Minimized influence of group dynamics
• Access to diverse participants
• Efficient idea generation

What are the limitations of using a nominal group interview?

NGIs also have some limitations, including:

• Group dynamics can still play a role
• Dominant individuals may influence the discussion
• Reliance on clear and unambiguous research question formulation
• Can be more time-consuming than other group techniques

When should a nominal group interview be used?

NGIs are particularly useful when:

• You need to generate a large number of ideas on a specific topic
• You want to ensure equal participation from all participants
• You are working with participants who may be reluctant to speak up in a group setting
• You have a limited amount of time to conduct your research

How can I prepare for a nominal group interview?

To prepare for an NGI, you should:

• Clearly define the research question or topic
• Recruit a diverse group of participants
• Create a comfortable and supportive environment for the interview
• Train the moderator on the NGI process

How can I analyze the results of a nominal group interview?

You can analyze the results of an NGI by:

• Identifying common themes and patterns in the ideas generated
• Prioritizing the ideas based on the voting results
• Using the ideas to develop solutions or recommendations