CHOICE LABORATORY

How can we improve our decisions?
Choosing well is not easy, especially in presence of a multiplicity of actors and conflicting interests.
In Choice Laboratory some simple real-world decision support systems are presented, the mechanisms influencing the decision-making processes are analyzed, some cases that relate to both individual choices and collective or social ones are considered, the relationships between choices and their consequences in certain and uncertain contexts are investigated.
Finally, case studies and applications will be presented, also through the use of software tools.

1. Knowledge and understanding:
1.1. technically knowing the methods presented in the course;
1.2. being able to use such methods.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
2.1. applying the appropriate methodes for solving simple choice problems;
2.2. performing the necessary analises also through software tools.

3. Judgement skill:
3.1. interpreting the results coming from the performed analyses;
3.2. understanding pros and cons of the methods learned.

No requirements are requested.

Part 1
- Preferences representation.
- Individual choices.
- Collective choices.
- Choices under conditions of uncertainty or risk.
- Case studies and applications.

Part 2
- Metaheuristics for complex optimization.
- Multi-criteria decision methods.
- Elements of fair division.
- Case studies and applications.

- Teaching materials available at the web page of the e-learning platform Moodle. [Reference materials]

The exam consists in a homework and in an oral test.
The homework: 1) must be carried out in couple; 2) is valid for the whole academic year and not beyond; 3) its carrying out must be sent by e-mail no later than a pre-established deadline (the e-mail address and the deadline will be indicated during the course).
The oral examination: 1) must be carried out in couple; 2) is divided into two parts: in the first part one has to critically present a research article; in the second part one has to apply one or more methodologies learned during the course to reply the results presented in the research paper.
Regarding the evaluation: 1) the homework is worth 0 to 4 possible points; 2) the oral examination is worth 0 to 26 possible points.
The sum of the points obtained from the homework and from the oral examination constitutes the final mark.

The course is articulated into:
a) lectures;
b) use of the presented methdologies also through software tools;
c) individual study.
Students are strongly encouraged to actively attend classes.

Italian

Site of the course present in the Moodle e-learning platform.
- The course is a substitute of the "tirocinio" activity.

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development