Grey relational analysis
Encyclopedia
Grey analysis uses a specific concept of information
. It defines situations with no information as black, and those with perfect information as white. However, neither of these idealized situations ever occurs in real world
problem
s. In fact, situations between these extremes are described as being grey, hazy or fuzzy. Therefore, a grey system means that a system in which part of information is known and part of information is unknown. With this definition, information quantity and quality
form a continuum from a total lack of information to complete information – from black through grey to white. Since uncertainty
always exists, one is always somewhere in the middle, somewhere between the extremes, somewhere in the grey area.
Grey analysis then comes to a clear set of statements about system solutions. At one extreme, no solution
can be defined for a system with no information. At the other extreme, a system with perfect information has a unique solution. In the middle, grey systems will give a variety of available solutions. Grey analysis does not attempt to find the best solution, but does provide techniques for determining a good solution, an appropriate solution for real world problems.
Information
Information in its most restricted technical sense is a message or collection of messages that consists of an ordered sequence of symbols, or it is the meaning that can be interpreted from such a message or collection of messages. Information can be recorded or transmitted. It can be recorded as...
. It defines situations with no information as black, and those with perfect information as white. However, neither of these idealized situations ever occurs in real world
Real World
The real world is another term for reality. It may also refer to:-Television:* The Real World, a television show* "The Real World" , a television episode-Music:* "Real World" , an album by Kokia...
problem
Problem
A problem is an obstacle, impediment, difficulty or challenge, or any situation that invites resolution; the resolution of which is recognized as a solution or contribution toward a known purpose or goal...
s. In fact, situations between these extremes are described as being grey, hazy or fuzzy. Therefore, a grey system means that a system in which part of information is known and part of information is unknown. With this definition, information quantity and quality
Information quality
Information quality is a term to describe the quality of the content of information systems. It is often pragmatically defined as: "The fitness for use of the information provided."- Conceptual problems :...
form a continuum from a total lack of information to complete information – from black through grey to white. Since uncertainty
Uncertainty
Uncertainty is a term used in subtly different ways in a number of fields, including physics, philosophy, statistics, economics, finance, insurance, psychology, sociology, engineering, and information science...
always exists, one is always somewhere in the middle, somewhere between the extremes, somewhere in the grey area.
Grey analysis then comes to a clear set of statements about system solutions. At one extreme, no solution
Solution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
can be defined for a system with no information. At the other extreme, a system with perfect information has a unique solution. In the middle, grey systems will give a variety of available solutions. Grey analysis does not attempt to find the best solution, but does provide techniques for determining a good solution, an appropriate solution for real world problems.