Visualization of uncertain data in the NEAT F-PROMETHEE method

MethodsX. 2023 Apr 2:10:102166. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102166. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

One of the decision-making problems is the problem of description, which is supposed to explain the decision-making situation by describing the alternatives and their consequences. One of the basic multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tools that are used when considering the problem of description are graphical visualizations. The article presents visualizations developed for the presentation of data in the MCDA method called NEAT F-PROMETHEE. Since the NEAT F-PROMETHEE method is used to consider decision-making problems characterized by uncertainty and imprecision, it operates on fuzzy numbers. Therefore, it was important that the developed visualizations also present data in the form of fuzzy numbers and consider uncertainty. The verification of the developed graphic representations consisted in comparing the ease of processing, understanding and interpreting information presented in a visual and tabular form. As a result of the conducted research, the advantages of the graphical representation over the tabular one were noticed. Data presented in the form of numerical values included in tables, if there are a lot of them, may cause information overload of the decision-maker. Fuzzy numbers included in the tables are often difficult to read, and a big challenge for the analyst is to establish mutual relationships and compare fuzzy numbers described numerically. It is much easier to process fuzzy numbers in a graphical form, because then you can immediately observe the relationships between the numbers.•Developing a visualization of uncertain data for the NEAT F-PROMETHEE method•Comparison of clarity of graphical and tabular representation.

Keywords: Data visualization; Descriptive approach; Descriptive extensions of the NEAT F-PROMETHEE; Multi-criteria decision analysis.