The nominal group technique is designed to achieve what primarily?

The nominal group technique is specifically structured to separate idea generation from evaluation, making it an effective method for promoting inclusive participation and ensuring a wide variety of ideas are considered. During this technique, participants first generate ideas independently without any discussion, which allows them to think freely and creatively without the influence of others' opinions. Once all ideas are recorded, the group discusses and evaluates these ideas systematically.

This separation is critical because it helps to minimize the potential biases and influences that can arise when group members discuss ideas concurrently, such as conformity pressures or dominant voices overshadowing quieter ones. By clearly distinguishing the creative phase from the evaluative phase, the nominal group technique enhances the quality of the decision-making process and fosters a more comprehensive exchange of ideas.

The other options focus on different aspects of group dynamics or decision-making processes that are not the primary goal of the nominal group technique. For instance, while preventing groupthink is an important consideration in group settings, the technique primarily aims at facilitating structured contributions and evaluations rather than solely preventing conformity. Similarly, fostering competitive attitudes is not a goal of this technique; rather, it emphasizes collaborative idea generation and decision-making. The integration of evaluation during idea generation is also not aligned with the technique's objectives, which distinctly separates these stages to