Case based reasoning as a tool "in the search for knowledge in databases": prospects of a "support system" for residential valuation and the construction of residential housing

The work in progress within the domain of property valuation and construction involves the use of two datasets at present. The first of these was collated from the 1970 US Census. The analysis of house price data to establish the effect of variations in locational and physical attributes has been attempted with the use of statistical techniques alone: the aim is usually to establish which attributes can then be used to synthesise valuations of a range of different properties. On their own, statistical techniques appear to have achieved only a limited degree of success despite the relatively complex calculations involved. Results derived can be open possibly to different interpretation and any additional knowledge or information used by the expert in making the valuations is not readily apparent. We are looking to consider whether numerical analysis and case based reasoning can complement one another within a hybrid system. Within such a system statistical techniques can be used to perform exploratory data analysis (EDA) on large datasets after which CBR can be used and information derived from the initial statistical tests can act as input into any CBR system, particularly when applying appropriate weightings and developing qualitative models.