Skip to contentScholarGate
LibraryBookshelfDeskReview StudioAssistant
Sign in
On this page
IntuitionHow it worksWhen to use itStrengths & limitationsCommon pitfalls🔒 Read the full methodSourcesRelated methods
Cite this pageSpotted an issue on this page? Report or suggest a fix →
Home›Decision-making›Root Assessment Method
MCDMRankingcrisp

Root Assessment Method

RAM (Root Assessment Method) is a ranking multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method introduced by Sotoudeh-Anvari, A. in 2023. It turns a decision matrix of alternatives scored on multiple criteria into a structured, reproducible result.

ScholarGate
  1. MCDM
  2. v1
  3. 1 Sources
  4. PUBLISHED
Cite this page →
Tools & resources
Download slides
Learn & explore

Read the full method

Members only

Sign in with a free account to read this section.

Sign in

Method map

The neighbourhood of related methods — select a node to explore.

RAM
AHPBWMCRITICENTROPYMERECSWARA

When to use it

r_i > 1 always (since base ≥ 2, exponent > 0). Higher r_i = better. RAM naturally penalises cost criteria through the exponent denominator.

Strengths & limitations

Strengths
  • Follows a transparent, reproducible computational procedure that can be audited step by step.
  • Handles multiple criteria of differing scales and units within a single decision matrix.
Limitations
  • Assumes full compensation — a strong score on one criterion can offset a weak score on another.

Sources

  1. Sotoudeh-Anvari, A. (2023). Root Assessment Method (RAM): A novel multi-criteria decision making method and its applications in sustainability challenges. Journal of Cleaner Production DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138695 ↗

How to cite this page

ScholarGate. (2026, June 2). Root Assessment Method. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/en/decision-making/ram

Related methods

AHPBWMCRITICENTROPYMERECSWARA

Which method?

Set this method beside its closest kin and read them side by side — the library lays the books on the table; the choice is yours.

  • AHPDecision-making↔ compare
  • BWMDecision-making↔ compare
  • CRITICDecision-making↔ compare
  • ENTROPYDecision-making↔ compare
  • MERECDecision-making↔ compare
  • SWARADecision-making↔ compare
Compare side by side →

Similar methods

AROMANPAMMARATOPSIS-SORTRATAVERAGE-RANKINGARASFUZZY-AROMAN

Related reference concepts

Decision MakingDecision Support SystemsEvaluation CriteriaPolicy AnalysisWeighted ScoresCost-Benefit Analysis

Spotted an issue on this page? Report or suggest a fix →

ScholarGate — RAM (Root Assessment Method). Retrieved 2026-07-20 from https://scholargate.app/en/decision-making/ram · Dataset: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20539026
Quick facts
Originator
Sotoudeh-Anvari, A.
Subfamily
Ranking
Year
2023
Type
Power-function aggregation with benefit/cost separation
Value Space
crisp
Uncertainty
None
Compensation
full
Rank Reversal
No
Related methods
AHPBWMCRITICENTROPYMERECSWARA
ScholarGate

A content-first reference library for research methods — what each one is, how it works, and where it comes from.

Open data (CC-BY)

Explore

  • Library
  • Search the library…
  • Browse by field
  • Fields
  • Journey
  • Compare
  • Which method?

Reference

  • Subjects
  • Atlas
  • Glossary
  • Methodology
  • Philosophy

Your tools

  • Bookshelf
  • Desk
  • Chat

Company

  • About
  • Pricing
  • Contact
  • Suggest a method

Entries are compiled from published sources for reference. Verifying the accuracy and suitability of any information for your own use remains your responsibility.

© 2026 ScholarGate · A research-method reference library
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Terms
  • Delete account