AbstractThis paper formalizes a novel model that is able to use both interval representations, parameterizations, partial memberships and multi-polarity. These are differing modalities of uncertain knowledge that are supported by many models in the literature. The new structure that embraces all these features simultaneously is called interval-valued multi-polar fuzzy soft set (IVmFSS, for short). An enhanced combination of interval-valued m-polar fuzzy (IVmF) sets and soft sets produces this model. As such, the theory of IVmFSSs constitutes both an interval-valued multipolar-fuzzy generalization of soft set theory; a multipolar generalization of interval-valued fuzzy soft set theory; and an interval-valued generalization of multi-polar fuzzy set theory. Some fundamental operations for IVmFSSs, including intersection, union, complement, “OR”, “AND”, are explored and investigated through examples. An algorithm is developed to solve decision-making problems having data in interval-valued m-polar fuzzy soft form. It is applied to two numerical examples. In addition, three parameter reduction approaches and their algorithmic formulation are proposed for IVmFSSs. They are respectively called parameter reduction based on optimal choice, rank based parameter reduction, and normal parameter reduction. Moreover, these outcomes are compared with existing interval-valued fuzzy methods; relatedly, a comparative analysis among reduction approaches is investigated. Two real case studies for the selection of best site for an airport construction and best rotavator are studied.
An Alternative Approach to Normal Parameter Reduction Algorithm for Soft Set Theory