Abstract
The selection of an appropriate textbook for a university level course is an important determinant for the success and quality of that course. Unfortunately, the selection process is often perfunctory, with last minute decisions made based on quickly paging through available textbook alternatives. This paper describes an attempt at using a formal procedure for textbook selection, based on the analytic hierarchy process and utilizing the software package Expert Choice. The process described includes the identification of relevant selection criteria, the identification and evaluation of candidate textbooks, and the quest for consensus among multiple decision makers in cases where sections of a course are taught by different instructors. The course used in this case study is a first course in systems analysis and design for third year undergraduate information systems students and involves three decision makers. However, many aspects of the model described apply to other courses in other settings. The hierarchical model was designed in such a way that the course specific part is separable from a more generally applicable part. The experiences in implementing and using the model are discussed.
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© 1998 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Weistroffer, H.R., Hodgson, L. (1998). Using AHP for Text Book Selection. In: Stewart, T.J., van den Honert, R.C. (eds) Trends in Multicriteria Decision Making. Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems, vol 465. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45772-2_36
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45772-2_36
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