Page 325 - Data Science Algorithms in a Week

306 Mayra Bornacelli, Edgar Gutierrez and John Pastrana

EXPERT INSIGHTS-DELPHI

The Delphi method solicits the judge of experts with information and opinion
feedback in order to establish a convergence of opinions about a research question. It is
necessary to implement a method of consensus by the nature of the problem that involves
markets around the world and variables of different orders of magnitude.
A Panel of thirteen (13) experts was selected for this Delphi. The question that
experts answered: “What are the most influential variables in the price of thermal coal?”
through three rounds in order to achieve consensus. A short description of the participants
are: Atlanta, USA: Sales Director of one of the leading companies in the analysis of
thermal coal. Lexington, USA: Professor of Economics at the University of Kentucky
(Kentucky is largest producer of thermal coal in USA). Orlando, USA: Professor in
Complexity Theory. Cape Town, South Africa: Economist Professor at the University of
Cape Town. Dublin, Ireland: Coal Trader at CMC (Coal Marketing Company -
http://www.cmc-coal.ie/). Germany: Coal Trader at CMC (Coal Marketing Company).
Bangalore, India: Professor of International Business in Alliance University (Bangalore,
India). China: Investigator of the financial markets and derivatives. Australia: Coal
geology research from University of New South Wales (UNSW - School of Biological
Earth and Environment Sciences). Colombia: Coal Senior Analyst (Argus McCloskey
Company - http://www.argusmedia.com), Technical Marketing Support (Cerrejón – one
of the world's largest open pit coal mines), Professor at the National University of
Colombia, CEO Magma Solution. Figure 3 shows Delphi participants by regions.

Figure 3. Delphi participants by regions.