Department of Statistics Seminar
North Carolina State University

presents

Gareth M. James

Stanford University

"The Error Coding Method and Majority Vote Classifiers"

ABSTRACT

This talk is in two parts. In the first I will explore a new classification technique called the Error Correcting Output Coding method (ECOC). As the name suggests the original motivation for this procedure relied on Error Coding ideas. I will show results which suggest that this is not the reason for its success. In the process I will introduce a new classifier called the Substitution method which works on a similar principle to ECOC but generally outperforms it.

In the second part I will talk about Majority Vote Classifiers (MVC). I show that the Substitution method is an example of an MVC and that the ECOC method is an "approximate" MVC. I will also detail some of the theories that have been suggested to explain the success of Majority Vote Classifiers.

Tuesday, January 20, 1998

9:00 - 10:00 am

124 Dabney Hall

Refreshments will be served in 124 Dabney Hall at 8:45.