Metamodeling SNAP, a Multi-Criteria Method for Effective Strategic Decision Making on e-Learning Issues

Many e-learning decision-making problems are multi-criteria problems, and their analysis requires the application of appropriate decision-making method. Since e-learning is a domain which is characterised by the existence of influences and dependencies between the decision-making elements, some of the most suitable methods for the multi-criteria analyses are the Analytic Network Process (ANP), Weighted Influence Non-linear Gauge System (WINGS) and Social Network Analysis Process (SNAP). ANP is the most well-known and most often used multi-criteria decision-making methods appropriate for the domains which are characterised by the existence between influences and dependencies between the decision-making elements, such as the e-learning domain. This paper presents the basic steps of the relatively new method, SNAP method, and its ERA metamodel. The SNAP method combines two methods, ANP and Social Network Analysis. (SNA) The integration of those two methods diminishes some of the weak-points that appear in the application of the ANP. The role of the ERA metamodel of SNAP is double: it helps in the understanding of the SNAP steps, and it is a base for potential SNAP software support development.