Question

Select the method(s) that involve(s) a pairwise comparison matrix for quantifying the weights of decision criteria.

• A. Analytical hierarchy process
• B. Exploratory factor analysis
• C. Latent class analysis
• D. Multiple linear regression

Hint:

Whenever you see "pairwise comparison matrix" in decision analysis, the immediate association should be AHP.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Recall the concept of pairwise comparison matrix.
A pairwise comparison matrix is used when criteria or alternatives are compared two at a time using relative importance scales (for example, Saaty's 1–9 scale). Such a matrix is positive, reciprocal, and diagonal entries are equal to 1.

Step 2: Method that uses this.
The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) directly employs pairwise comparison matrices to determine weights of decision criteria. By finding the principal eigenvector of the matrix, AHP derives relative weights of the criteria.

Step 3: Why not the others?
- (B) Exploratory factor analysis works on correlation matrices, not pairwise comparison matrices.
- (C) Latent class analysis is a clustering method, no pairwise judgments.
- (D) Multiple linear regression estimates coefficients from data, not subjective comparisons.

Step 4: Final conclusion.
Only AHP matches the requirement. \[ \boxed{(A) \; \text{Analytical hierarchy process}} \] % Quicktip