Aim: Criteria weighting is a key element of multicriteria decision analysis that is becoming extensively used in healthcare decision-making. In our narrative review we describe the advantages and disadvantages of various weighting methods.
Methods: An assessment of the eight identified primary criteria weighting methods was compiled on domains including their resource requirements, and potential for bias.
Results: In general, we found more complex methods to have less potential for bias; however, resource intensity and general participant burden is greater for these methods.
Conclusion: The selection of the most appropriate method depends on the decision-making context. The simple multiattribute rating technique (SMART) method combined with swing-weighting technique and the analytic hierarchy process methods may be the most feasible approaches for low- and middle-income countries.
Keywords: MCDA; criteria weighting methods; low- and middle-income countries.