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Logical Decisions - Classweb

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Measure<br />

Category<br />

Member<br />

Monte Carlo<br />

Simulation<br />

A measure consists of a name, a three letter abbreviation, units and<br />

most and least preferred levels. LDW puts no restrictions on the most<br />

and least preferred levels. The most preferred level can be greater or<br />

less than the least preferred level. There is also no requirement that<br />

the ranges on different measures be comparable. The ranges are<br />

made comparable when levels on the measures are converted to<br />

utility using the SUF for each measure.<br />

See also: Alternative, Level, Range, SUF, Utility.<br />

A sub-measure associated with a measure. You can define measures<br />

so that their levels are the weighted sum of several measure category<br />

levels. Measure category levels are not converted to common units<br />

before they are summed, but otherwise they are exactly like measure<br />

levels.<br />

See also: Common Units, Level, Measure, Measure Level.<br />

A member of a goal is either a measure or another goal that is<br />

included under the first goal in a goals hierarchy. Note: At least one<br />

of the goals in an analysis must only have measures as members.<br />

See also: Goal, Goals Hierarchy, Measure, MUF, Preference Set,<br />

Utility.<br />

A method for estimating the uncertainty of a number that is a<br />

complex function of one or more probability distributions. It can be<br />

very difficult to compute analytically a probability distribution that is<br />

the result of combining other distributions. This is the case for<br />

estimating a probability distribution over utility from the probability<br />

distributions over measure levels, particularly when complex SUFs<br />

and MUFs are involved. Monte Carlo simulation avoids this problem<br />

by using random numbers to provide an estimate of the distribution.<br />

Monte Carlo simulation uses a random number generator to produce<br />

random samples from the probabilistic levels. each set of samples is<br />

used to compute the utility of one possible outcome of the measure<br />

level uncertainties. Each computed utility is called a trial. Many<br />

trials are done and the results for each trial are saved. The sorted<br />

trials can be used as an estimate of the cumulative probability<br />

distribution of the desired utility.<br />

Section 12 -- Glossary 12-5

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