Skip to main content
Log in

Using data visualization for ranking alternatives with partial information and interactive tradeoff elicitation

  • Original paper
  • Published:
Operational Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper puts forward the use of data visualization in a new method for solving multiple criteria decision-making problems for ranking of alternatives, based on Flexible and Interactive Tradeoff (FITradeoff) elicitation. This approach uses partial information about the decision maker’s preferences, based on a structured process for eliciting scale constants (or weights) within the scope of multi-attribute value theory. Different from most of the partial information methods present in the literature, our approach is based on the traditional Tradeoff, which is the most axiomatically founded procedure for elicitation of criteria weights. Pairwise dominance concept is incorporated into the mathematical model of FITradeoff in such way that, at each interaction with the decision maker, a partial—or complete—order of the alternatives can be achieved, based on a two-step algorithm proposed. The method is operated by means of a decision support system, which provides graphical visualization of the ranking at each interaction, in order to support the decision-making process with a simpler visualization of dominance relations. The proposed method is applied for solving a practical case of supplier selection in a food industry.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahn BS, Park KS (2008) Comparing methods for multiattribute decision making with ordinal weights. Comput Oper Res 35(5):1660–1670

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Athanassopoulos AD, Podinovski VV (1997) Dominance and potential optimality in multiple criteria decision analysis with imprecise information. J Oper Res Soc 48(2):142–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barron FH, Barrett BE (1996) Decision quality using ranked attribute weights. Manage Sci 42(11):1515–1523

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belton V, Stewart T (2002) Multiple criteria decision analysis: an integrated approach. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Borcherding K, Eppel T, Von Winterfeldt D (1991) Comparison of weighting judgments in multiattribute utility measurement. Manage Sci 37(12):1603–1619

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ciomek K, Kadziński M, Tervonen T (2017) Heuristics for selecting pair-wise elicitation questions in multiple criteria choice problems. Eur J Oper Res 262(2):693–707

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Danielson M, Ekenberg L, He Y (2014) Augmenting ordinal methods of attribute weight approximation. Decis Anal 11(1):21–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Almeida AT, Roselli LRP (2017) Visualization for decision support in FITradeoff method: exploring its evaluation with cognitive neuroscience. In: Linden I, Liu C, Colot C (eds) Decision Support Systems VII. Data, Information and Knowledge Visualization in Decision Support Systems. LNBIP, vol 282., pp 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57487-5_5

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • De Almeida AT, Almeida JA, Costa APCS, Almeida-Filho AT (2016) A new method for elicitation of criteria weights in additive models: flexible and interactive tradeoff. Eur J Oper Res 250(1):179–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dell’Ovo M, Frej EA, Oppio A, Capolongo S, Morais DC, De Almeida AT (2017) Multicriteria decision making for healthcare facilities location with visualization based on FITradeoff method. In: Linden I, Liu S, Colot C (eds) Decision Support Systems VII. Data, Information and Knowledge Visualization in Decision Support Systems. LNBIP, vol 282., pp 32–44. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57487-5_3

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards W, Barron FH (1994) SMARTS and SMARTER: improved simple methods for multiattribute utility measurement. Organ Behav Hum Decis Process 60(3):306–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gusmão APH, Medeiros CP (2016) A model for selecting a strategic information system using the FITradeoff. Math Probl Eng. ID 7850960

  • Keeney RL, Raiffa H (1976) Decision analysis with multiple conflicting objectives. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirkwood CW, Sarin RK (1985) Ranking with partial information: a method and an application. Oper Res 33(1):38–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • López JCL, Carrillo PAÁ, Chavira DAG, Noriega JJS (2017) A web-based group decision support system for multicriteria ranking problems. Oper Res Int J 17(2):499–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malakooti B (2000) Ranking and screening multiple criteria alternatives with partial information and use of ordinal and cardinal strength of preferences. IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern Part A Syst Hum 30(3):355–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mármol AM, Puerto J, Fernández FR (2002) Sequential incorporation of imprecise information in multiple criteria decision processes. Eur J Oper Res 137(1):123–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montiel LV, Bickel JE (2014) A generalized sampling approach for multilinear utility functions given partial preference information. Decis Anal 11(3):147–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mustajoki J, Hämäläinen RP, Salo A (2005) Decision support by interval SMART/SWING—incorporating imprecision in the SMART and SWING methods. Decis Sci 36(2):317–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park K (2004) Mathematical programming models for characterizing dominance and potential optimality when multicriteria alternative values and weights are simultaneously incomplete. IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern Part a: Syst Hum 34(5):601–614

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park KS, Kim SH (1997) Tools for interactive multiattribute decision-making with incompletely identified information. Eur J Oper Res 98(1):111–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park KS, Lee KS, Eum YS, Park K (2001) Extended methods for identifying dominance and potential optimality in multi-criteria analysis with imprecise information. Eur J Oper Res 134(3):557–563

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salo AA, Hamalainen RP (2001) Preference ratios in multiattribute evaluation (PRIME)-elicitation and decision procedures under incomplete information. IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern Part A: Syst Hum 31(6):533–545

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salo AA, Hämäläinen RP (1992) Preference assessment by imprecise ratio statements. Oper Res 40(6):1053–1061

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salo A, Punkka A (2005) Rank inclusion in criteria hierarchies. Eur J Oper Res 163(2):338–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarabando P, Dias LC (2010) Simple procedures of choice in multicriteria problems without precise information about the alternatives’ values. Comput Oper Res 37(12):2239–2247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stillwell WG, Seaver DA, Edwards W (1981) A comparison of weight approximation techniques in multiattribute utility decision making. Organ Behav Hum Perform 28(1):62–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber M (1987) Decision making with incomplete information. Eur J Oper Res 28(1):44–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber M, Borcherding K (1993) Behavioral influences on weight judgments in multiattribute decision making. Eur J Oper Res 67(1):1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge CNPq for the partial financial support for this research.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adiel Teixeira de Almeida.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Frej, E.A., de Almeida, A.T. & Costa, A.P.C.S. Using data visualization for ranking alternatives with partial information and interactive tradeoff elicitation. Oper Res Int J 19, 909–931 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12351-018-00444-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12351-018-00444-2

Keywords

Navigation