Kriteerid

Kriteerid are the standards, properties, or conditions used to judge, compare, or select something. They define what counts as acceptable or desirable and guide evaluation, selection, and decision making in fields such as research, procurement, policy, and project planning. Criteria may be objective, measurable quantities, or subjective judgments based on values or preferences.

The word kriteerid is Estonian for criteria, plural of kriteerium (criterion). The term is derived from Latin criterion; it entered Estonian through scholarly or technical language and is used across domains to describe the rules by which something is assessed.

Common types include eligibility criteria (conditions a candidate must meet), performance criteria (required levels of achievement), quality criteria (standards of quality), and prioritization criteria (factors that determine ranking). In research, clearly defined criteria are used to include or exclude participants or to define endpoints. In procurement, supplier and product criteria are used to evaluate bids.

In analysis, criteria are often turned into scoring systems, with weights to reflect importance. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and simple scoring models are typical approaches. Ensuring criteria are complete, non-contradictory, measurable where possible, and biased-free is essential for reliable decisions.

Limitations include ambiguity, overloading with too many criteria, or misalignment with goals. Good practice emphasizes transparency, justification for each criterion, and periodic revision as needs change.