Selection of optimal software reliability growth models using an integrated entropy–Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach

Abstract

A large number of software reliability growth models (SRGMs) have been studied to estimate the reliability of software systems over the past 40 years. Different models have been developed upon different sets of assumptions. A few models were developed in a practical environment by considering testing effort, testing coverage, time delay fault correction, and fault reduction factor. Generally, SRGMs are not dataset independent, and thus the selection of an appropriate SRGM for use in a specific application is a challenging task in the software reliability area. The wrong selection of SRGMs might create a wrong estimation of reliability and consequently a delay in the release of the software. To overcome this problem, we have proposed a unique hybrid entropy weight‐based multi‐criteria decision‐making (MCDM) method and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach for the selection of a suitable SRGM and applied it for optimal selection and ranking of SRGMs. The proposed hybrid approach identifies the need of the relative importance of criteria for a given application without which inter‐criterion comparison cannot be accomplished. It requires a set of model selection criteria along with a set of SRGMs and their level of criteria for optimal selection. It successfully displays the result in terms of a merit value which is used to rank the SRGMs. The proposed approach has been validated on two data sets of the real software failure. The results of the study play a vital role for the decision maker to judge the suitability of the SRGM.

The Determinants of Outward Foreign Direct Investment from Latin America and the Caribbean: An Integrated Entropy-Based TOPSIS Multiple Regression Analysis Framework

“…More recently, Çalık et al (2019) employed this technique in conjunction with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to investigate the FDI attractiveness in Turkey. Kumar et al (2021) note that this method faces a key challenge of formulating specific weights to the various parameters to rank the alternatives. A viable option to address this issue is to combine the entropy weight method with TOPSIS (Li et al 2011;Mohammed et al 2020;Kumar et al 2021).…”

“…Kumar et al (2021) note that this method faces a key challenge of formulating specific weights to the various parameters to rank the alternatives. A viable option to address this issue is to combine the entropy weight method with TOPSIS (Li et al 2011;Mohammed et al 2020;Kumar et al 2021). Such an approach has been applied extensively in past studies, for example, by Salehi et al (2020), who used it to investigate crisis management systems in petrochemical industries.…”

“…We assess the contextual characteristics of the home country using the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) from the World Economic Forum (WEF) and a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach with the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to rank the largest economies in LAC according to several criteria included in each dimension. As noted by Kumar et al (2021), one of the challenges associated with the MCDA method is the identification of the specific weights to the various parameters for which alternatives are to be ranked. To facilitate this decision, we follow the guidance of previous studies and combine the entropy weight and TOPSIS methods (Li et al 2011;Mohammed et al 2020;Kumar et al 2021).…”

“…As noted by Kumar et al (2021), one of the challenges associated with the MCDA method is the identification of the specific weights to the various parameters for which alternatives are to be ranked. To facilitate this decision, we follow the guidance of previous studies and combine the entropy weight and TOPSIS methods (Li et al 2011;Mohammed et al 2020;Kumar et al 2021). Furthermore, considering that the individual domestic factors correspond to distinct categories and TOPSIS scores, we use panel data to observe the OFDI patterns over an extended period.…”

Reliability and Performance Analysis of a Series-Parallel System Using Gumbel–Hougaard Family Copula

“…Yusuf et al (2020) performed a study of reliability analysis of communication network with redundant relay station under partial and complete failure. Kumar et al (2021) carried out the selection of optimal software reliability growth models using an integrated entropy-TOPSIS approach. Rani et al (2020) studied the availability redundancy allocation problem of washing unit in a paper mill utilizing uncertain data.…”