Generation of a personal qualitative assessment instrument using a fuzzy expert system

Abstract

We present an expert system that generates a personal assessment instrument to evaluate the attitude or tendency of a person who wants to realize a particular activity. For example, suppose a student wants to carry out a postgraduate course. In order to evaluate the possibility of the student's success, it seems desirable to know (among others aspects) the priority the student gives the course with respect to any other activity. Our expert system generates a personal test to evaluate three classes of diagnostic areas: - antagonistic behavior (such as autonomy and dependence); - predilection toward different interests (e.g. personal realization in preference to professional development); - equilibrium between demand (e.g. by a student from the institution) and commitment to realize an activity. We formalize the criteria and strategies used by evaluating each class of diagnostic areas. Fuzzy logic is used to select the questions that compose the test, and the way in which the system produces a personal assessment instrument. Our expert system has been validated to evaluate the attitude of candidates who desire to pursue a postgraduate program. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000.