Concept mapping as a knowledge acquisition tool in the development of a fuzzy rule-based expert system

Abstract

1.0 Introduction This paper discusses the utilization of concept mapping in the development of a fuzzy rule-based expert system (CTXPERT) for the prediction of cumulative trauma disorders. Concept mapping was used as the primary knowledge acquisition tool and was supplemented with some conventional knowledge acquisition methodologies: text analysis and traditional interview analysis. The goal of the expert system is to accurately predict the likelihood of cumulative trauma disorders of the forearm and hand. These injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis, tendinitis, etc. The system requires three categories of input in order to arrive at a comprehensive rating of risk. The categories include task characteristics, personal characteristics, and organizational characteristics. Each of.these risk categories was assigned a predetermined weighting factor in the determination of the outcome for CTXPERT.