Factors Affecting Selection of Elective Courses: The Use of Multi-Criteria Decision Making Model

Elective course selection has always been a serious and important decision making process for students in institutions. the aim of this study is to determine weights of factors affecting elective course selection from students' perspective. so as to solve the problem, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based model was used. Factors which affect the elective course selection from students' point of view include five main criteria and 13 sub-criteria which were indicated by students. An online questionnaire containing demographic questions, enabled each student to compare the relative priority of criteria with all of the other criteria. the responses were evaluated via super Decisions software, and priorities were determined using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). According to the analysis of 40 experts (i.e., graduate students studying in engineering programs), course schedule and teaching staff related factors are the two most important factors affecting the elective course selection. A real-life situation which will help students who are indecisive and hesitates while selecting an elective course was observed. AHP contributes to develop an analytic and comprehensive framework decision making. the method should be considered by faculty member involved in decisions about curriculum update and offering new courses. ArtIcLE INFO