2.1.2. The Sheffield Elicitation Framework

The Sheffield elicitation framework (SHELF) has established itself as another notable SEJE methodology [23]. Opposed to the mathematical aggregation used in the CM, SHELF strongly relies on behavioral approaches to combine knowledge from different experts. The process is executed via gathering an expert panel moderated by a dedicated facilitator. After discussing the evaluation subject(s), the DMs give their individual assessments which are then fitted into an aggregated distribution. In a next step, the individual and group evaluations are shown to the panel and discussed, while the experts have the opportunity to edit their previous judgments. The discussions and reevaluations are repeated until a consensus on the aggregated distribution(s) is reached.

It becomes obvious that the method was initially developed to elicit knowledge on a single variable, however extensions for multivariate assessments have been introduced as well [23].

Although SHELF incorporates mathematical aggregation, the result still depends on the common acceptance of the combined distribution, which leans on behavioral aggregation. Accordingly, one expects an increased influence of group dynamics and the corresponding group biases.
