[Colloquium] Seminar Announcement: Computer-Assisted Clustering and Conceptualization from Unstructured Text - TODAY!

[Ninfa Mayorga]

Computation Institute-Computational Knowledge Synthesis

Speaker: Gary King, Albert J. Weatherhead III University Professor,  
Director, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University
Date: May 9, 2011
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: The University of Chicago, Searle 240A, 5735 S. Ellis Avenue

Computer-Assisted Clustering and Conceptualization from Unstructured  
Text

Abstract:
We develop computer-assisted methods for the discovery of insightful  
conceptualizations, in the form of clusterings (i.e., partitions) of  
input objects. Each of the numerous fully automated methods of cluster  
analysis proposed in statistics, computer science, and biology  
optimize a different objective function. Almost all are well defined,  
but how to determine before the fact which one, if any, will partition  
a given set of objects in an "insightful'' or "useful'' way for a  
given user is unknown and difficult, if not logically impossible. We  
develop a metric space of the clusterings of a given data set from all  
cluster analysis methods presently known, as well as the partitions  
from all methods not yet invented (i.e., all possible clusterings),  
and enable a user to explore and interact with it, and quickly reveal  
or prompt useful or insightful conceptualizations. In addition,  
although uncommon in unsupervised learning problems, we offer and  
implement evaluation designs th at make our computer-assisted approach  
vulnerable to being proven suboptimal in specific data types. We  
demonstrate that our approach facilitates more efficient and  
insightful discovery of useful information than either expert human  
readers or existing fully automated methods. We (will) make available  
an easy-to-use software package that implements all our suggestions.

This is joint work with Justin Grimmer.

Bio: Gary King is the Albert J. Weatherhead III University Professor  
at Harvard University, based in the Department of Government (in the  
Faculty of Arts and Sciences). He also serves as Director of the  
Institute for Quantitative Social Science. King develops and applies  
empirical methods in many areas of social science research, focusing  
on innovations that span the range from statistical theory to  
practical application. For more information, see his bio and  
curriculum vitae, http://gking.harvard.edu/


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