Rank aggregation with limited information based on link prediction

Abstract

Rank aggregation is a vital tool in facilitating decision-making processes that consider multiple criteria or attributes. While in many applications, the available ranked lists are often limited and quite partial for various reasons. This scarcity of ranking information presents a significant challenge to rank aggregation effectiveness. To address this problem of rank aggregation with limited information, in this study, on the basis of networked representation of ranking information, we employ the link prediction technology to mine potential ranking information. It aims to optimize the aggregation process, and maximize the aggregation effectiveness using available limited information. Experimental results indicate that our proposed approach can significantly enhance the aggregation effectiveness of existing rank aggregation methods, such as Borda’s method, competition graph method and Markov chain method. Our work provides a new way to solve rank aggregation problem with limited information and develops a new research paradigm for future rank aggregation studies from the perspective of network science.