title: Conflicts, trade-offs, and preference measurement.
abstract: The usefulness of preference measurement is extended by two techniques: the use of collapsed orthogonal arrays of factor combinations to reduce respondent time needed to indicate preferences among many factors and the use of monotonic analysis of variance to establish utility scales for individuals as well as for the group. Only main effects can be measured, but comparison of individual utility scales can aid the decision maker in gaining acceptance of decisions from group members whose preferences are not widely shared by the group. Use of these techniques is illustrated in a situation in which a few vocal members of a hospital medical staff were pressing the administrator for major changes in diagnostic facilities for out-patients.
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002497:Centralized Hospital Services; D003657:Decision Making; D003954:Diagnostic Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005431:Florida; D006126:Group Processes; D006739:Hospital Administration; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data