An Algorithm to Define the Node Probability Functions of Bayesian Networks based on Ranked Nodes

An Algorithm to Define the Node Probability Functions of Bayesian Networks based on Ranked Nodes

  IJETT-book-cover  International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT)          
  
© 2017 by IJETT Journal
Volume-52 Number-3
Year of Publication : 2017
Authors : Joa˜o Nunes, Renan Willamy, Mirko Perkusich, Renata Saraiva, Kyller Gorgonio, Hyggo Almeida, Angelo Perkusich
DOI :  10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V52P223

Citation 

Joa˜o Nunes, Renan Willamy, Mirko Perkusich, Renata Saraiva, Kyller Gorgonio, Hyggo Almeida, Angelo Perkusich "An Algorithm to Define the Node Probability Functions of Bayesian Networks based on Ranked Nodes", International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), V52(3),151-156 October 2017. ISSN:2231-5381. www.ijettjournal.org. published by seventh sense research group

Abstract
Bayesian Network (BN) has been used in a broad range of applications. A challenge in constructing a BN is defining the node probability tables (NPTs), which can be learned from data or elicited from domain experts. In practice, it is common to not have enough data for learning and elicitation from experts is the only option. However, the complexity of defining NPTs grows exponentially, making their elicitation process costly and error-prone. Previous work proposed a solution: the ranked nodes method (RNM). However, the details necessary to implement it were not presented. Nowadays, the solution is only available through a commercial tool. Hence, this paper presents an algorithm to define NPT using the RNM. We include details regarding sampling and how to mix truncated Normal distributions and convert the resulting distribution into an NPT. We compared the results calculated using our algorithm with the commercial tool through an experiment. The results show that our solution is equivalent to the commercial tools’ in terms of NPT definition with a mean difference of 1.6%. Furthermore, our solution is faster. The solution developed is made available as open source software.

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Keywords
Bayesian Network; Expert systems; Node Probability Table; Ranked nodes.