Classifier combination methods have shown their effectiveness in a number of applications. Nonetheless, using simultaneously multiple classifiers may result in some cases in a reduction of the overall performance, since the responses provided by some of the experts may generate consensus on a wrong decision even if other experts provided the correct one. To reduce these undesired effects, in a previous paper, we proposed a combining method based on the use of a Bayesian Network. The structure of the Bayesian Network was learned by using an Evolutionary Algorithm which uses a specifically devised data structure to encode Direct Acyclic Graphs. In this paper we presents an further improvement along this direction, in that we have developed a new hybrid evolutionary algorithm in which the exploration of the search space has been improved by using a measure of the statistical dependencies among the experts. Moreover, new genetic operators have been defined that allow a more effective exploitation of the solutions in the evolving population. The experimental results, obtained by using two standard databases, confirmed the effectiveness of the method.

A Hybrid Evolutionary Algorithm for Bayesian Networks Learning: An Application to Classifier Combination.

DE STEFANO, Claudio;FONTANELLA, Francesco;SCOTTO DI FRECA, Alessandra
2010-01-01

Abstract

Classifier combination methods have shown their effectiveness in a number of applications. Nonetheless, using simultaneously multiple classifiers may result in some cases in a reduction of the overall performance, since the responses provided by some of the experts may generate consensus on a wrong decision even if other experts provided the correct one. To reduce these undesired effects, in a previous paper, we proposed a combining method based on the use of a Bayesian Network. The structure of the Bayesian Network was learned by using an Evolutionary Algorithm which uses a specifically devised data structure to encode Direct Acyclic Graphs. In this paper we presents an further improvement along this direction, in that we have developed a new hybrid evolutionary algorithm in which the exploration of the search space has been improved by using a measure of the statistical dependencies among the experts. Moreover, new genetic operators have been defined that allow a more effective exploitation of the solutions in the evolving population. The experimental results, obtained by using two standard databases, confirmed the effectiveness of the method.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11580/4026
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