Workshop #4

Pre-Conference Workshops - May 16th, 2004

Half-Day Morning Workshops (#4, 5, 6, 7)

#4 - An Adventure on TRIAGE: A Group Technique Gaining Recognition in Evaluation
A half-day, intermediate workshop facilitated by:
Marie Gervais, Ph.D., Laval University QC


TRIAGE or Technique for Research of Information by Animation of a Group of Experts, is an inductive and structured method for collecting information, which aims to obtain a group consensus. The goal of this technique is to provide quality informative material quickly and efficiently to enable decision making or to develop more sophisticated survey tools. TRIAGE both differs from and complements the main group techniques used in evaluation up until now. In this workshop, the definition, the context for use as well as the different parts of the usual process of TRIAGE (recruiting participants, individual production phase, collective production phase, use of a specific visual support, validation of results) will be explained and critiqued and then compared with those advocated in the Delphi technique, Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and Focus Group. Examples of TRIAGE being applied in different evaluation contexts such as the development of a measurement instrument, the evaluation of mental health programs and the evaluation of a network of trauma services will be presented. These examples will illustrate the richness, the flexibility and the full potential of this technique as an evaluation tool. Shortcomings of TRIAGE will be addressed and its strengths will be discussed. Finally, participants will be invited to participate in TRIAGE and experiment its different phases based on a case simulation. This experimentation will allow participants and presenters to join in a further interactive discussion on their experience of TRIAGE and on the different concerns that surround the successful implementation and utilization of this promising new group technique.

 

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