Ny sökning
PFG0068
Introduction to Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
The course starts with a self-study period, and a task to formulate and structure a decision-making problem. The chosen problem will be used to formulate individual assignments.
The second part of the course consists of class-room lectures in the mornings and individual exercises in the afternoon. The initial lecture will address how to structure multi-criteria decision-making problems, and in the afternoon session, students will reflect upon and possibly re-structure their chosen decision making problems. Each day of the remaining lecturing period will contain lectures about different MCDA methods in the mornings, and in the afternoon the students will be applying those methods on their selected decision making-problems. During the third part of the course, the students will work on individual assignments, in which they conduct and report a full MCDA by used of two different MCDA methods which they think that are suitable for the chosen problem. The fourth and last part of the course is an oral presentation of the individual assignments for the other students, who will be expected to comment and discuss the presentations and the assignments.
The second part of the course consists of class-room lectures in the mornings and individual exercises in the afternoon. The initial lecture will address how to structure multi-criteria decision-making problems, and in the afternoon session, students will reflect upon and possibly re-structure their chosen decision making problems. Each day of the remaining lecturing period will contain lectures about different MCDA methods in the mornings, and in the afternoon the students will be applying those methods on their selected decision making-problems. During the third part of the course, the students will work on individual assignments, in which they conduct and report a full MCDA by used of two different MCDA methods which they think that are suitable for the chosen problem. The fourth and last part of the course is an oral presentation of the individual assignments for the other students, who will be expected to comment and discuss the presentations and the assignments.
Kursplan och övrig information
Kursplan
PFG0068 Introduction to Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, 4,5 Hp
Ämnen
SkogshushållningUtbildningens nivå
ForskarnivåFörkunskapskrav
The course is specifically aimed at PhD students within all fields. Students are expected to have some understanding of basic mathematics. Good knowledge in English is vital to be able to follow the course. Admitted as PhD or Licentiate student.Mål
The course aims to contribute to the students´ understanding of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and to learn them to apply it step-by-step using their own decision-making problem. The participants will learn how to structure complex decision problems and break them down into manageable parts. An important aim is to learn how to elicit subjective (personal) preferences from decision makers and how to use computer-based tools for MCDA analysis. The course aims at an interdisciplinary audience, welcoming students from all disciplines. Learning outcomes Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: • structure multi-criteria decision making problems (goal or objective of decision making, criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives), • understand basic cognitive and motivational biases and learn how to minimize them during multi-criteria decision making, • explain basics of commonly used MCDA methods and learn how to apply them, • discuss philosophies and pros and cons of different methods, • reflect upon which method(s) can be appropriate for different type of decision making problems. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis is an umbrella term for a set of methods to structure, formalize, and analyze complex decision problems involving multiple criteria, many different alternatives (options, choices), and different decision makers which may have conflicting preferences. The methodology of MCDA can be classified into four basic phases; (1) structuring the decision problem, (2) assessing the possible impact of each alternative, (3) determining the preferences (values) of decision-makers, and (4) evaluating and comparing the alternatives. MCDA helps to make decision problems more transparent and guides decision makers into making rational choices. This is now a vast field of research, with its scientific community and its specialized journals, as well as a large and growing number of real-world applications, for supporting both public policy making and decisions by private corporations. This course is designed for participants interested in transdisciplinary approaches that help to better understand real-world decision problems and that contribute to finding sustainable solutions.Innehåll
The course starts with a self-study period, and a task to formulate and structure a decision-making problem. The chosen problem will be used to formulate individual assignments. The second part of the course consists of class-room lectures in the mornings and individual exercises in the afternoon. The initial lecture will address how to structure multi-criteria decision-making problems, and in the afternoon session, students will reflect upon and possibly re-structure their chosen decision making problems. Each day of the remaining lecturing period will contain lectures about different MCDA methods in the mornings, and in the afternoon the students will be applying those methods on their selected decision making-problems. During the third part of the course, the students will work on individual assignments, in which they conduct and report a full MCDA by used of two different MCDA methods which they think that are suitable for the chosen problem. The fourth and last part of the course is an oral presentation of the individual assignments for the other students, who will be expected to comment and discuss the presentations and the assignments.Ytterligare information
The course might be cancelled if there are not more than 5 SLU students who have applied and is accepted to the course.The students are expected to bring their own computers.
Ansvarig institution/motsvarande
Institutionen för skoglig resurshushållning