Multi-criteria decision-making for selecting occupational health and safety training methods: An Entropy AHP–VIKOR approach

BackgroundOccupational Health and Safety (OHS) training plays a central role in promoting safety culture and risk awareness among university students. While face-to-face education has traditionally been preferred, online and hybrid models have gained prominence. However, there is limited research that systematically compares these delivery methods using structured decision-making models.ObjectiveThis study aims to develop a quantitative decision-support framework to evaluate and rank face-to-face, online, and hybrid OHS basic training methods using an integrated Entropy AHP-VIKOR multi-criteria decision-making approach.MethodsThree training alternatives were evaluated based on eight pedagogical, technical, and administrative criteria. Criterion weights were determined objectively using the Entropy-based Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the VIKOR method was applied to identify the compromise solution among alternatives.ResultsThe hybrid training model achieved the lowest S, R, and Q values in the VIKOR analysis, ranking first among alternatives. Pedagogical impact, participation, and retention emerged as the most influential criteria according to Entropy AHP weighting results.ConclusionsThe integrated Entropy AHP-VIKOR model provides a transparent and objective framework for selecting OHS training methods. The findings support prioritizing hybrid delivery for university-level OHS education while reserving face-to-face components for practice-oriented modules and online components for theoretical content.