- Author
-
Schraagen, J. M. C.
- Title
- Explanation in Knowledge-Based Systems.
- Coporate
- TNO Institute for Perception, Netherlands
- Sponsor
- Scientific Research Royal Netherlands Navy, Netherlands
- Report
-
TD 90-1610; IZF-1990-A-20; TDCK-90-1610
June 12, 1990
23 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- A89/KM/620
- Keywords
-
artificial intelligence
|
expert systems
|
damage control
- Identifiers
- decision support
- Abstract
- This report is a literature study of various types of explanation that knowledge-based systems can give, and of the need for explanation by end-users of those systems. The report gives advice on explanation systems for a knowledge-based decision support system (DAMOCLES) in the domain of damage control on board of standard frigates. The report also indicates areas where further research is needed. The report discusses the evolution of explanation systems by referring to three knowledge-based systems: MYCIN, NEOMYCIN, and XPLAIN. We conclude that convincing explanation requires a separation between domain knowledge and strategic knowledge. For the DAMOCLES system this implies that knowledge of, for instance, fire fighting procedures needs to be represented explicitly. Empirical research on the need for explanation has shown that the use of explanation facilities largely depends on the knowledge of the end user. Further research on this particular topic is required.