A Fuzzy AHP Approach for Selection of Measuring Instrument for Engineering College Selection

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a mathematical technique for multi-criteria decision-making. Complex problems or issues involving value or subjective judgments are suitable applications of the AHP approach. ‘Factors considered for the selection of Undergraduate Engineering Institution by the students’, is the research topic of interest. It involves a number of qualitative judgments based on multi-criteria at multi-levels and can be addressed using AHP. Students’ opinions are collected in AHP using pair wise comparisons. As the number of alternatives increases, the number of comparisons increases enormously. Hence the selection of a proper measuring instrument that will reduce the data collection 2150 P. Mahendran et al. efforts without loss of reliability of measurement is very important. Four sets of questionnaires have been developed for collecting the expert opinions. A pilot study (questionnaire administration) has been conducted among sixty first year students four types of engineering institutions and their responses were analyzed for consistency. Later on their opinions are collected about the four sets of questionnaires based on three criteria – easiness, unambiguity and eliciting of intended responses. AHP technique is used to prioritize the opinions and finally in the selection of the measuring instrument. The paper discusses the AHP technique, research problem, and the AHP method used for the final selection of the measuring instrument.