Parametric Selection and Ranking of E-Learning Websites Using CoDAS Technique

Background: Choosing an e-learning website is crucial for researchers and developers in today's fiercely competitive world. The concept of an e-learning website is expanding quickly these days. When a substantial number of selection criteria are considered across a wide range of options, the process of selecting and ranking e-learning websites becomes a complex and challenging task. Objective: The present research aims on the evaluation and selection of E-learning websites by modelling it as a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem due the dependency of multiple conflicting attributes. This study targets on the upcoming problem of evaluating, ranking, and selecting E-learning websites, having a significant impact on the educational industry. Methods: The present research work proposes the W-CODAS strategy for optimizing e-learning websites, which combines the Shannon Entropy approach which is used to calculate the weights of the selection criteria with the CODAS technique. The results obtained will be protected using patents. Results and Discussion: According to the method and framework that is proposed, the E-learning website exhibiting the lowest preference index value is assigned the top rank or position, whereas the website which has the highest value is ranked or placed at last. Conclusion: This study was conducted to rank the various E-learning websites. In particular, an integrated MCDM method has been developed by combining entropy approach and distance based approach. It is established that once a complete set of selection criteria and their respective priority weights have been identified, this CoDAS method can be applied to rank them. The interdependencies/ priority weights of the selection criteria have been given due consideration in the CoDAS method. The proposed methodology i.e. W-CoDAS in the present research is based on the simple mathematical matrix operations that reduce the complexity of the evaluation distance-based process as well as implementation time. The results are verified by comparing the W-CODAS ranking findings to established MCDM systems like TOPSIS and VIKOR, and employing Spearman's rank correlation test, enhances the robustness and credibility of the research.