INTERACTIVE STATISTICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING EXPERT DECISIONS

A system and method for selecting from a set of output actions for combinatory situations such as medical diagnosis defined by a plurality of input parameters. A decision making structure is established by an expert having a plurality of linked nodes. Random values of the input parameters are generated, which includes biasing the random values by a function of a preceding response. The steps are repeated until a sufficient number of responses having a predetermined statistical significance is achieved for each node. After this set up and teaching, the accuracy of the system's predictions may be verified against actual responses by the expert. The decision making structure may be interrogated by entering a situation to be analyzed. The path the expert would take through the decision making structure is predicted by determining the probability of the expert's response at each node in the structure to arrive at an output action. A plurality of structures may be established, one for each individual expert, allowing interrogation of any or all of the decision making structures.