E-raamat: Graphical Belief Modeling

Describes graphical models using belief functions to represent uncertainty as an alternative approach to problems for which probability proves inadequate. Compares the two approaches to illustrate their relative strengths and weaknesses, discusses the algorithms used in the manipulation of graphical models, and demonstrates the application of belief modeling in an extended example of calculating the reliability of a complex system. The first application of the Dempster-Shafer belief functions to a practical model. Incorporates experience with the BELIEF software package. For researchers and graduate students in artificial intelligence and statistics. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

This innovative volume explores graphical models using belief functions as a representation of uncertainty, offering an alternative approach to problems where probability proves inadequate. Graphical Belief Modeling makes it easy to compare the two approaches while evaluating their relative strengths and limitations.

The author examines both theory and computation, incorporating practical notes from the author's own experience with the BELIEF software package. As one of the first volumes to apply the Dempster-Shafer belief functions to a practical model, a substantial portion of the book is devoted to a single example--calculating the reliability of a complex system. This special feature enables readers to gain a thorough understanding of the application of this methodology.

The first section provides a description of graphical belief models and probablistic graphical models that form an important subset: the second section discusses the algorithm used in the manipulation of graphical models: the final segment of the book offers a complete description of the risk assessment example, as well as the methodology used to describe it.

Graphical Belief Modeling offers researchers and graduate students in artificial intelligence and statistics more than just a new approach to an old reliability task: it provides them with an invaluable illustration of the process of graphical belief modeling.