The Delphi Method in Information Literacy Research

The purpose of this research was to develop an understanding of how information literacy (IL) research is operationalized by means of the Delphi method, the current state of the method’s usage in IL research and its key features. A systematic review of IL research studies utilizing Delphi was undertaken in April and December 2022, using studies retrieved from five databases. The main findings of the analysis are that Delphi was not a common method for IL studies; nevertheless, it was used to study various issues, including digital and health (information) literacy, and in various contexts, mainly those of education, health care, and librarianship, leading to a variety of findings, most often relating to IL competence or skill framework. Delphi was used highly flexibly, utilizing diverse groups of experts with various signifiers of expertise. If applied rigorously, with other methods, Delphi may contribute to IL theory and practice.