Balanced tuning of multi-dimensional Bayesian network classifiers

Abstract

Multi-dimensional classifiers are Bayesian networks of restricted topological structure, for classifying data instances into multiple classes. We show that upon varying their parameter probabilities, the graphical properties of these classifiers induce higher-order sensitivity functions of restricted functional form. To allow ready interpretation of these functions, we introduce the concept of balanced sensitivity function in which parameter probabilities are related by the odds ratios of their original and new values. We demonstrate that these balanced functions provide a suitable heuristic for tuning multi-dimensional Bayesian network classifiers, with guaranteed bounds on the changes of all output probabilities.