A semi-supervised active learning algorithm for information extraction from textual data

In this article we present a semi-supervised active learning algorithm for pattern discovery in information extraction from textual data. The patterns are reduced regular expressions composed of various characteristics of features useful in information extraction. Our major contribution is a semi-supervised learning algorithm that extracts information from a set of examples labeled as relevant or irrelevant to a given attribute. The approach is semi-supervised because it does not require precise labeling of the exact location of features in the training data. This significantly reduces the effort needed to develop a training set. An active learning algorithm is used to assist the semi-supervised learning algorithm in order to further reduce training set development effort. The active learning algorithm is seeded with a single positive example of a given attribute. The context of the seed is used to automatically identify candidates for additional positive examples of the given attribute. Candidate examples are manually pruned during the active learning phase, and our semi-supervised learning algorithm automatically discovers reduced regular expressions for each attribute. We have successfully applied this learning technique in the extraction of textual features from police incident reports, university crime reports, and patents. The performance of our algorithm compares favorably with competitive extraction systems being used in criminal justice information systems.