The process of multiattribute decision making: A case study of selecting applicants for a Ph.D. program

The authors investigate the process of how individuals make decisions in a deterministic, multiattribute decision environment. The individuals were three faculty members at a large US university, who made decisions and recommendations about accepting or rejecting applications for their department’s Ph.D. program. Protocol analysis was used to obtain verbal protocols from the individuals, reflecting their thought processes when engaged in making recommendations and choices about the applicants. The protocols were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Many interesting conclusions regarding the information acquisition process and the decision rules employed by the individuals emerged.