154
L. Carlsen
In the present study we focus on step 11: ‘compare or rank alternatives’, and
argue that partial order methodology may be introduced as an advantageous decision
support tool, despite the fact that it has been stated that multi-criteria decision
analyses (MCDA) “may be useful in some cases, they may be more complicated
than required for many assessments” (NAS 2014a, b). The present study applies
partial order methodology is applied for the search for suitable alternatives to splitshots as an exemplary case. Data are adopted from the National Academy of Science
report on the selection of chemical alternatives (NAS 2014a).
Split-shots have traditionally been produced of lead (Pb) as a relatively soft
material that has a good malleability and is corrosion resistant. Further the end
product has an excellent availability and is obtainable at a relatively low price.
However, Pb is both from an environmental and human health perspective an
unwanted compound and thus possible alternatives are searched for. Thus, TURI
(2006) reports that
• “Nearly 2,500 metric tons of lead are used each year in the United States to
produce fishing sinkers.”
• “Many of these sinkers are lost during use. One study found that anglers lost, on
average, one sinker every six hours of fishing”
• “Lead sinkers are lethal to waterbirds, such as loons and swans. One study found
that the most common cause of death in adult breeding loons was lead toxicity
from ingested fishing sinkers”
In the present study 5 alternatives were includes (NAS 2014a, p180; TURI
2006 pp. 3–60 – 3–81), i.e., bismuth (Bi), Ceramic (cer), Steel (ste), Tin (Sn) and
Wolfram (W).
The paper discusses the ranking of indicators for the bismuth (Bi), Ceramic (cer),
Steel (ste), Tin (Sn) and Tungsten (W) as well as lead (Pb) in order to suggest
the optimal alternative to lead split-shots among the 5 other suggested materials
applying the concept of average heights (De Loof et al. 2006; Bruggemann and
Carlsen 2011). The paper finalizes with a discussion of the ranking probabilities for
single alternatives applying the Bubley-Dyer approach to average ranking (Bubley
and Dyer 1999) as well as the version 8_3 of the LPOMext module of PyHasse
(Bruggemann and Carlsen 2011).
2 Methodology
The present paper describes how selected partial order tools may be applied in the
evaluation of alternatives and thus constitutes an advantageous tool in selecting
an optimal alternative out of the set, taking several indicators simultaneously into
account as an alternative to conventional methods to study multi-indicator systems
(MIS) (Bruggemann and Carlsen 2012).
L. Carlsen
In the present study we focus on step 11: ‘compare or rank alternatives’, and
argue that partial order methodology may be introduced as an advantageous decision
support tool, despite the fact that it has been stated that multi-criteria decision
analyses (MCDA) “may be useful in some cases, they may be more complicated
than required for many assessments” (NAS 2014a, b). The present study applies
partial order methodology is applied for the search for suitable alternatives to splitshots as an exemplary case. Data are adopted from the National Academy of Science
report on the selection of chemical alternatives (NAS 2014a).
Split-shots have traditionally been produced of lead (Pb) as a relatively soft
material that has a good malleability and is corrosion resistant. Further the end
product has an excellent availability and is obtainable at a relatively low price.
However, Pb is both from an environmental and human health perspective an
unwanted compound and thus possible alternatives are searched for. Thus, TURI
(2006) reports that
• “Nearly 2,500 metric tons of lead are used each year in the United States to
produce fishing sinkers.”
• “Many of these sinkers are lost during use. One study found that anglers lost, on
average, one sinker every six hours of fishing”
• “Lead sinkers are lethal to waterbirds, such as loons and swans. One study found
that the most common cause of death in adult breeding loons was lead toxicity
from ingested fishing sinkers”
In the present study 5 alternatives were includes (NAS 2014a, p180; TURI
2006 pp. 3–60 – 3–81), i.e., bismuth (Bi), Ceramic (cer), Steel (ste), Tin (Sn) and
Wolfram (W).
The paper discusses the ranking of indicators for the bismuth (Bi), Ceramic (cer),
Steel (ste), Tin (Sn) and Tungsten (W) as well as lead (Pb) in order to suggest
the optimal alternative to lead split-shots among the 5 other suggested materials
applying the concept of average heights (De Loof et al. 2006; Bruggemann and
Carlsen 2011). The paper finalizes with a discussion of the ranking probabilities for
single alternatives applying the Bubley-Dyer approach to average ranking (Bubley
and Dyer 1999) as well as the version 8_3 of the LPOMext module of PyHasse
(Bruggemann and Carlsen 2011).
2 Methodology
The present paper describes how selected partial order tools may be applied in the
evaluation of alternatives and thus constitutes an advantageous tool in selecting
an optimal alternative out of the set, taking several indicators simultaneously into
account as an alternative to conventional methods to study multi-indicator systems
(MIS) (Bruggemann and Carlsen 2012).