Using statistical data feedback by-products of expert systems

Expert systems, in addition to performing diagnostic, consultative, and decision-making functions, can be effective data collection devices. These statistical data collection by-products may apply in various situations where information about the user and the operation of the system are valuable to the developers. Little research has been done to investigate how statistics may be kept and used by an expert system. The authors present a method for by-product data collection from an expert system and show how the collected data can be used to define the user, clarify the operation of the system, and enhance the system itself. A combination of SPSS/PC+ and Personal Consultant Plus packages on an IBM-style PC demonstrate the wide-spread applicability of using expert system technology to collect and analyze by-product data. Thus, the technology is easily available to many who could benefit from larger volumes of data collected in a consistent fashion