Validation, Error, and Simplification of Decision Technology.
Abstract
This report summarizes the research conducted under ARPA Contract No. N00014-79-C-0038. We examined the general topics of validation of multiattribute utility elicitation techniques, error in human preference judgment and simplification of assessment. Both theoretical and empirical work is discussed. Experimental work showed that existing methods of elicitation of multiattribute utility weight judgments are valid in that they compare favorably with an external criterion. This was found to be true with both student subjects in a contrived laboratory setting and with expert subjects working in the area of their expertise. Theoretical work showed several paths to simplification of elicitation. Using the functional relationships between risky and riskless utility elicitation procedures, one study showed that with a few simple assumptions holding, the much simpler riskless assessment techniques must maintain the preference ordering implied by the more complex procedures. A second theoretical study defined conditions under which various simplifying weighting strategies can be expected to do well in terms of replicating the preferences indicated by more complex elicitations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA182906
Entities
People
- Ward Edwards
- William G. Stillwell
Organizations
- University of Southern California