Evaluation and Decision Models A Critical Perspective

The purpose of "Evaluation and Decision Models: A CriticalPerspective" is to provide a critical thinking framework for allindividuals utilizing decision and evaluation models, whether it befor research or applications. It is axiomatic that all evaluation anddecision models suffer some limitations. There are situations where adecision model will not perform to expectations. This book argues thatthere is no best decision or evaluation model, but thatdecision-makers must understand the principles of formal evaluationand decision models and apply them critically. Hence, the book seeksto deepen our understanding of evaluation and decision models andencourage users of these models to think more analytically about them.The authors work in six different European universities. Theirbackgrounds are varied: mathematics, economics, engineering, law, andgeology, and they teach in engineering, business, mathematics, computer science, and psychology in their universities. As a group, the authors have particularexpertise in a variety of decision modelsthat include preference modelling, fuzzy logic, aggregationtechniques, social choice theory, artificial intelligence, problemstructuring, measurement theory, operations research, and multiplecriteria decision support. In addition to their decision analysisresearch, all the authors have been involved in a variety ofhigh-impact applications which include software evaluation, locationof a nuclear repository, the rehabilitation of a sewer network, andthe location of high-voltage lines. It is this variety within theauthorship that unifies this book into a systematic examination of howbest formal decision models can be used. The monograph is an excellenttoolfor researchers of decision analysis and decision-makers.