Further thoughts on the utility of risk matrices
Article
Ball, D. and Watt, J. 2013. Further thoughts on the utility of risk matrices. Risk Analysis. 33 (11), pp. 2068-2078. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.12057
Type | Article |
---|---|
Title | Further thoughts on the utility of risk matrices |
Authors | Ball, D. and Watt, J. |
Abstract | Risk matrices are commonly-encountered devices for rating hazards in numerous areas of risk management. Part of their popularity is predicated on their apparent simplicity and transparency. Recent research, however, has identified serious mathematical defects and inconsistencies. This article further examines the reliability and utility of risk matrices for ranking hazards, specifically in the context of public leisure activities including travel. We find that (a) different risk assessors may assign vastly different ratings to the same hazard, (b) that even following lengthy reflection and learning scatter remains high, (c) the underlying drivers of disparate ratings relate to fundamentally different worldviews, beliefs and a panoply of psycho-social factors which are seldom explicitly acknowledged. It appears that risk matrices when used in this context may be creating no more than an artificial and even untrustworthy picture of the relative importance of hazards which may be of little or no benefit to those trying to manage risk effectively and rationally. |
Research Group | Centre for Decision Analysis and Risk Management (DARM) |
Publisher | WileyBlackwell |
Journal | Risk Analysis |
ISSN | 0272-4332 |
Publication dates | |
Nov 2013 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 11 Feb 2013 |
Output status | Published |
Additional information | Article first published online: 8 MAY 2013 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.12057 |
Language | English |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/83yyz
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