criteriabased

Criteriabased, also written as criterion-based or criteria-based, describes approaches that evaluate, select, or judge options using predefined criteria. The criteria are explicit, observable, and applied consistently across options, often with a scoring rule or decision framework. By relying on predetermined benchmarks, criterion-based methods aim to promote transparency, fairness, and replicability in evaluation.

In education, criterion-based assessment uses rubrics that describe levels of performance for each criterion, rather than comparing students to one another. In hiring or procurement, criterion-based evaluation ranks candidates or bids against a published set of requirements such as qualifications, experience, quality, and price. In quality assurance and compliance, products, services, or processes are measured against stated criteria to determine acceptability or conformance. In clinical or policy contexts, criterion-based guidelines or diagnostic criteria rely on predefined indicators to determine outcomes or eligibility.

Methodologically, criteria are defined before evaluation, sometimes with weights to reflect relative importance. Scoring can be binary (pass/fail) or on a scaled continuum, and multi-criteria decision analysis may be used to combine criteria into an overall score or ranking. The approach supports consistency and clear justification for decisions, which can be important for audits and appeals.

Advantages include transparency, consistency, and defensibility. Limitations can involve rigidity if criteria are poorly chosen, the potential neglect of qualitative factors, and reliance on reliable scoring and inter-rater agreement. Careful development and periodic revision of criteria are essential to maintain validity and usefulness in decision-making.

See also: rubric, criterion-referenced assessment, multi-criteria decision analysis, standard-based evaluation.