A Pearson-like correlation-based TOPSIS method with interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy uncertainty and its application to multiple criteria decision analysis of stroke rehabilitation treatments

This paper extends one of the most extensively used multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solutions (TOPSIS), to adapt to highly complicated uncertain environments based on interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy (IVPF) sets. In contrast to classical TOPSIS methods, this paper develops a novel concept of Pearson-like IVPF correlation coefficients instead of distance measures to not only construct a useful and effective association measure between two IVPF characteristics but also depict the outranking relationship of IVPF information. Moreover, this paper proposes the (weighted) IVPF correlation-based closeness coefficients to establish a Pearson-like correlation-based TOPSIS model to manage MCDA problems within the IVPF environment. In particular, there is a definite improvement in determining the closeness coefficient required in the TOPSIS procedure. This paper considers anchored judgments with respect to the positive- and negative-ideal IVPF solutions and provides new approach- and avoidance-oriented definitions for the IVPF correlation-based closeness coefficient, which is entirely different from the traditional definition of relative closeness in TOPSIS. Furthermore, this paper proposes a comprehensive IVPF correlation-based closeness index to balance the consequences between ultra-approach orientation and ultra-avoidance orientation and acquire the ultimate compromise solution for decision support and aid. The feasibility and practicability of the developed methodology are illustrated by a practical MCDA problem of rehabilitation treatment for hospitalized patients with acute stroke. The application results, along with experimentations and comparative analyses, demonstrate that the developed methods are rational and effective.