Integrating case-based reasoning and decision theory

Abstract

Case-based reasoning (CBR) and decision-theoretic techniques can be complementary. Decision theory helps CBR deal with uncertainties in the problem domain, while CBR helps decision theory handle complicated problems with many variables. The goal of integrating CBR and decision theory is to improve the ability of CBR systems to solve problems in domains of incomplete information. Our methodology views the retrieval of old cases in CBR as a decision problem, where each case from the case base provides an alternative solution and a prediction of the possible outcomes for the problem. When case-based problem solving encounters uncertainty, our methodology applies decision theory to evaluate each case in terms of the attributes that are significant for the problem, so that the most desirable case can be selected. We implemented our methodology in a case-based design assistant that helps chemists design pharmaceuticals.