Abstract
The q-matrix method, a new method for data mining and knowledge discovery, is compared with factor analysis and cluster analysis in analyzing fourteen experimental data sets. This method creates a matrix-based model that extracts latent relationships among observed binary variables. Results show that the q-matrix method offers several advantages over factor analysis and cluster analysis for knowledge discovery. The q-matrix method can perform fully unsupervised clustering, where the number of clusters is not known in advance. It also yields better error rates than factor analysis, and is comparable in error to cluster analysis. The q-matrix method also allows for automatic interpretation of the data sets. These results suggest that the q-matrix method can be an important tool in automated knowledge discovery.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barnes, T., Bitzer, D.: Fault tolerant teaching and knowledge assessment: Evaluation of the q-matrix method. In: Proceedings of the 40th ACMSE, Raleigh, NC (April 2003)
Birenbaum, M., Kelly, A., Tatsuoka, K.: Diagnosing knowledge state in algebra using the rule-space model. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education 24(5), 442–459 (1993)
Brewer, P.: Methods for concept mapping in computer based education. Computer Science Masters Thesis, North Carolina State University (1996)
Elder, J.F., Abbott, D.W.: A comparison of leading data mining tools. In: Proc. 4th Intl. Conf. on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (1998)
Erlich, Z., Gelbard, R., Spiegler, I.: Data Mining by Means of Binary Representation: A Model for Similarity and Clustering. Information Systems Frontiers 4(2), 187–197 (2002)
Jones, S.: Computer assisted learning of mathematical recursion. Computer Science Masters Thesis, North Carolina State University (1996)
Kauffman, L., Rousseeuw, P.J.: Finding groups in data. Wiley, New York (1990)
Kline, P.: An easy guide to factor analysis. Rutledge, London (1994)
NovaNET educational network, Online http://www.pearsondigital.com/novanet/
Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) and Help System, Online http://www.sas.com
Sellers, J.: An empirical evaluation of a fault-tolerant approach to computer-assisted teaching of binary relations. Computer Science Masters Thesis, North Carolina State University (1998)
VanLehn, K., Niu, Z., Siler, S., Gertner, A.: Student modeling from conventional test data: A Bayesian approach without priors. Intelligent Tutoring Systems, 434–443 (1998)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Barnes, T., Bitzer, D., Vouk, M. (2005). Experimental Analysis of the Q-Matrix Method in Knowledge Discovery. In: Hacid, MS., Murray, N.V., Raś, Z.W., Tsumoto, S. (eds) Foundations of Intelligent Systems. ISMIS 2005. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 3488. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/11425274_62
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/11425274_62
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-25878-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-31949-8
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)