Formal decision and evaluation models are so widespread that almost no one can pretend not to have used or suffered the consequences of one of them. This book is a guide aimed at helping the analyst to choose a model and use it consistently. A sound analysis of techniques is proposed and the presentation can be extended to most decision and evaluation models as a "decision aiding methodology."

Formal decision and evaluation models are sets of explicit and well-defined rules to collect, assess, and process information in order to be able to make recommendations in decision and/or evaluation processes. They are so widespread that almost no one can pretend not to have used or suffered the consequences of one of them. Our earlier companion volume, Evaluation and Decision Models, heavily criticised formal models but also argued that they could be useful. On the other hand, Evaluation and Decision Models with Multiple Criteria is a guide aimed at helping the analyst to choose a model and use it consistently. We propose a sound analysis of techniques and our presentation can be extended to most decision and evaluation models as a decision aiding methodology. This volume is intended for the enlightened practitioner, for anyone who uses decision or evaluation models - for research or for applications - and is willing to question his practice, to have a deeper understanding of what he does.

The following scheme summarizes the different families introduced in this chapter and the connections between them. Family of interval orders f Row-homogeneous Column-homogeneous Family of family of interval semi orders family of interval orders orders Homogeneous family of i nterva 1 orders Homogeneous family of semi orders Family of weak orders 85 5.13. EXAMPLES We let to the reader the verification of the following assertions. Example 1 is a family of interval orders which is neither row-homogeneous nor column-homogeneous. Example 2 is a column-homogeneous family of interval orders which is not row-homogeneous but where each interval order is a semiorder. Example 3 is an homogeneous family of interval orders which are not semiorders. Example 4 is an homogeneous family of semi orders . . 8 ~ __ --,b ~---i>---_ C a .2 d c Example Example 2 .8 .6 c .5 a 0 a d Example 3 Example 4 5.14. REFERENCES DOIGNON. J.-P ** Generalizations of interval orders. in E. Degreef and J. Van Buggenhaut (eds). T~ndS in MathematiaaZ PsyahoZogy. Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (North-Holland), Amsterdam, 1984. FISHBURN. P.C., Intransitive indifference with unequal indifference intervals. J. Math. Psyaho.~ 7 (1970) 144-149. FISHBURN. P.C., Binary choice probabilities: on the varieties of stochastic transitivity. J. Math. Psyaho.~ 10 (1973) 327-352.

In the first volume of the set, Evaluation and Decision Models: A Critical Perspective, the purpose is to provide a critical thinking framework for all individuals utilizing decision and evaluation models, whether it be for research or applications. In the book, the authors criticized formal models while pointing out where these models can be useful. On the other hand, Evaluation and Decision Models with Multiple Criteria is a guide, a way of reasoning aimed at helping the analyst to choose a model and use it consistently. The authors propose, often using an axiomatic point of view, a sound analysis of techniques aimed at supporting the decision aiding process. The presentation is carried out within a unique framework that can be extended to most decision and evaluation models, as a "decision aiding methodology."