Redesigning Case Retrieval to Reduce Information Acquisition Costs
Authors: Mookerjee, Vijay S.; Mannino, Michael V.
Journal: Information Systems Research (1997)
DOI: 10.1287/isre.8.1.51
<jats:p> Retrieval of a set of cases similar to a new case is a problem common to a number of machine learning approaches such as nearest neighbor algorithms, conceptual clustering, and case based reasoning. A limitation of most case retrieval algorithms is their lack of attention to information acquisition costs. When information acquisition costs are considered, cost reduction is hampered by the practice of separating concept formation and retrieval strategy formation. </jats:p><jats:p> To demonstrate the above claim, we examine two approaches. The first approach separates concept formation and retrieval strategy formation. To form a retrieval strategy in this approach, we develop the CR<jats:sub>lc</jats:sub> (case retrieval loss criterion) algorithm that selects attributes in ascending order of expected loss. The second approach jointly optimizes concept formation and retrieval strategy formation using a cost based variant of the ID3 algorithm (ID3<jats:sub>c</jats:sub>). ID3<jats:sub>c</jats:sub> builds a decision tree wherein attributes are selected using entropy reduction per unit information acquisition cost. </jats:p><jats:p> Experiments with four data sets are described…