Transfer of information between system and evidence models

In this paper we illustrate a simple scheme for dividing a complex Bayes network into a system model and a collection of smaller evidence models. While the system model maintains a permanent record of the state of the system of interest, the evidence models are only used momentarily to absorb evidence from specific observations or findings and then discarded. This paper describes an implementation of a system model–evidence model complex in which each system and evidence model has a separate Bayes net and Markov tree representation. As necessary, information is propagated between common Markov tree nodes of the evidence and system models. While mathematically equivalent to the full Bayes network, the system model–evidence model complex allows us to (a) separate the seldom used evidence model portions from the core system model thus reducing search and propagation time in the network and (b) easily replace the evidence models (this is particular advantageous in educational examples in which new test items are often introduced to prevent overexposure of assessment tasks). 1 System Models and Evidence