Knowledge-based systems: A qualitative formalism

Current advances in knowledge-based systems (KBSs) -- ie programs that use artificial intelligence techniques to solve complex problems -- are explored, with emphasis on their applicability to the social sciences. Their characteristics are illustrated via example of a KBS written in PROLOG language...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Qualitative sociology 1986-09, Vol.9 (3), p.256-282
Main Author: Brent, Edward E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Assisted Research
Social Science Research
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Current advances in knowledge-based systems (KBSs) -- ie programs that use artificial intelligence techniques to solve complex problems -- are explored, with emphasis on their applicability to the social sciences. Their characteristics are illustrated via example of a KBS written in PROLOG language that uses Erving Goffman's dramaturgical model (The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, 1959, New York: Doubleday) to analyze social interaction. It is argued that KBSs offer a qualitative formalism capable of application to concepts & phenomena that have previously been beyond the scope of traditional mathematical models; thus, they can create explicit, reproducible, logically powerful, knowledge systems while avoiding mathematical formalism. 2 Figures, 85 References. Modified HA
ISSN:0162-0436
1573-7837
DOI:10.1007/BF00988401