Which distinguishes nominal group technique from simple group discussion?

• A. Ideas are discussed openly until consensus is reached without anonymity.
• B. Individuals generate ideas independently, then share in a structured, anonymous way to prioritize.
• C. It relies solely on majority voting to select ideas.
• D. It uses a formal authority to decide which ideas to implement.

Answer: (B)

The key distinction is the structured process that combines private idea generation with anonymous prioritization. In this approach, each person first generates ideas on their own, without influence from others. Then ideas are shared in a orderly, round-robin way, recorded, and discussed only for clarification, not debated for dominance. Finally, participants rate or rank the ideas, usually anonymously, to decide which are most important. This sequence reduces domination by louder voices and prevents early consensus from shaping outcomes, which is different from a simple group discussion where ideas are raised and debated openly and the group often moves toward consensus through conversation or majority input.