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Steps in constructing problem solving methods

  • Problem Solving Models
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Book cover Knowledge Acquisition for Knowledge-Based Systems (EKAW 1993)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNAI,volume 723))

Abstract

We propose a general approach that explicates the construction process of problem solving methods (PSMs) employed in knowledge-based systems. As akey point we employ the notion of a competence theory of a problem solving method. Illustrations are taken from the diagnostic Cover-and-Differentiate method used in MOLE and from various forms of abductive diagnosis. It is then shown how a rational construction of problem solving methods results from successive conceptual refinement and operationalization steps with respect to the competence theory. Our proposed Specification-Conceptualization-Operationalization method for PSMs provides top-down support for method construction, starting from an informal problem statement to an operational inference structure suitable for knowledge-based reasoning. Also, it gives some clues as to how PSMs have to be indexed or annotated in a library of generic and reusable components, in order to support ‘bottom-up’ or compositional modelling and design.

The research reported here was carried out in the course of the KADS-II project. This project is partially funded by the ESPRIT Programme of the Commission of the European Communities as project number 5248. The partners in this project are: Cap Gemini Innovation (F), Cap Programator (S), Netherlands Energy Research Foundation ECN (NL), Eritel SA (ESP), IBM France (F), Lloyd's Register (UK), Swedish Institute of Computer Science (S), Siemens AG (D), Touche Ross MC (UK), University of Amsterdam (NL) and Free University of Brussels (B).

This article expresses the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the consortium.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ECN and University of Twente, P.O. Box 1, NL-1755, ZG Petten (NH), The Netherlands

    Hans Akkermans

  2. Social Science Informatics, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 15, NL-1018, WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Bob Wielinga & Guus Schreiber

Authors
  1. Hans Akkermans
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  2. Bob Wielinga
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  3. Guus Schreiber
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Editor information

N. Aussenac G. Boy B. Gaines M. Linster J. -G. Ganascia Y. Kodratoff

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© 1993 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Akkermans, H., Wielinga, B., Schreiber, G. (1993). Steps in constructing problem solving methods. In: Aussenac, N., Boy, G., Gaines, B., Linster, M., Ganascia, J.G., Kodratoff, Y. (eds) Knowledge Acquisition for Knowledge-Based Systems. EKAW 1993. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 723. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-57253-8_47

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-57253-8_47

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-57253-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-47996-3

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