A Method Based on Genetic Algorithms and Fuzzy Logic to Induce Bayesian Networks

Abstract

A method to induce bayesian networks from data to overcome some limitations of other learning algorithms is proposed. One of the main features of this method is a metric to evaluate bayesian networks combining different quality criteria. A fuzzy system is proposed to enable the combination of different quality metrics. In this fuzzy system a metric of classification is also proposed, a criterium that is not often used to guide the search while learning bayesian networks. Finally, the fuzzy system is integrated to a genetic algorithm, used as a search method to explore the space of possible bayesian networks, resulting in a robust and flexible learning method with performance in the range of the best learning algorithms of bayesian networks developed up to now.