Two Semantic Issues in a Probabilistic Rough Set Model

Abstract

Probabilistic rough set models are quantitative generalizations of the classical and qualitative Pawlak model by considering degrees of overlap between equivalence classes and a set to be approximated. The extensive studies, however, have not sufficiently addressed some semantic issues in a probabilistic rough set model. This paper examines two fundamental semantics-related questions. One is the interpretation and determination of the required parameters, i.e., thresholds on probabilities, for defining the probabilistic lower and upper approximations. The other is the interpretation of rules derived from the probabilistic positive, boundary and negative regions. We show that the two questions can be answered within the framework of a decision-theoretic rough set model. Parameters for defining probabilistic rough sets are interpreted and determined in terms of loss functions based on the well established Bayesian decision procedure. Rules constructed from the three regions are associated with different actions and decisions, which immediately leads to the notion of three-way decision rules. A positive rule makes a decision of acceptance, a negative rule makes a decision of rejection, and a boundary rules makes a decision of deferment. The three-way decisions are, again, interpreted based on the loss functions. (This work is partially supported by a Discovery Grant from NSERC Canada. The author thanks the reviewers for their constructive comments.)