Linguistic aggregation operators under interval confidence levels

In this paper, we define the concept of linguistic variable with interval confidence level (LVICL) and some operational laws of LVICLs. Based on these operational laws, we propose some new aggregation operators, such as the interval confidence linguistic weighted arithmetic averaging (ICLWAA) operator, interval confidence linguistic ordered weighted averaging (ICLOWA) operator and interval confidence linguistic hybrid aggregation (ICLHA) operator. Furthermore, based on the ICLWAA and ICLHA operator, we develop a group decision making approach, in which the criteria values take the form of LVICLs and the criterion weight information is known completely. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the developed method.