The Characteristic Error Approach to Conflict Resolution

Abstract

Conflict resolution is the process of reaching a decision using the opinions of multiple knowledge eources u input. It integrates two closely related concepts: reasoning about uncertainty and constraint propagation u applied to problems involving knowledge integration. This paper introduces the concept of characteristic error conflict resolution which is unique in treating each knowledge source u a separate entity whose validity is determined only from the information the knowledge source itself provides. The advantages of characteristic error conflict resolution are that the knowledge eourcet themselves provide the information neceaary to determine the current context of the conflict and that the outcome of the resolution process is dependent only upon this locally determined context. This leads to an easily extensible generic approach to conflict resolution.