Alternatives and criteria

Abstract

Establishing alternatives and criteria is essential to multi-criteria evaluation. In this, the first question is: what knowledge can be derived from theory and research about an optimum number of alternatives and criteria? Does the quality of decision-making improve in relation to the amount of information used to solve a policy problem? What factors determine whether an actor collects more or less information relevant to his policy problem? What can be said about the optimum number of alternatives and criteria that should be used during an evaluation? To find some answers to these questions, the arguments exchanged in the discussion between adherents of a synoptic approach and adherents of incrementalism will be discussed. Subsequently, factors in the actor system that have an impact on information search behaviour will be discussed. Finally, some recommendations will be made concerning the desirable number of alternatives and criteria.