THE USE OF MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING METHODS IN PRODUCT SELECTION: AN EXAMPLE OF TABLET SELECTION USING TOPSIS

Abstract

With the rapid advancement of technology, tablet computers have gained significant importance in both individual and corporate usage. When selecting the best tablet that meets their needs, users must consider multiple criteria such as performance, price, battery life, screen quality, memory capacity, and processor power. In situations requiring multi-criteria decision-making, using an objective and systematic method can make the decision-making process more efficient. One of the most important innovations in information technology and communication is tablets. The presence of numerous tablet brands in the market makes purchasing a new tablet a challenging decision. This study aims to determine the most suitable tablet using the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method, which is one of the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods. The TOPSIS method is an effective decision support tool that ranks alternatives based on their proximity to the ideal solution and their distance from the negative ideal solution. In the study, commonly preferred tablet models in the market were selected and evaluated based on criteria such as price, processor performance, screen size, battery capacity, memory capacity, and camera quality. The criteria were determined and weighted based on expert opinions and user needs, and the ranking of alternatives was performed using the TOPSIS method. When selecting the options, the best-selling tablets on an e-commerce platform operating in Turkey were taken into consideration. The results demonstrate that the systematic approach provided by the TOPSIS method ensures an objective evaluation in the decision-making process. This study serves as an example not only to help consumers select the most suitable tablet for their needs but also to encourage businesses to use scientific decision support methods in product evaluation processes. Additionally, it has been concluded that the TOPSIS method offers an effective decision mechanism for comparing technological products such as tablets and can be applied in different sectors.