Multi-Agent-Based Generation of Explanations for Retrieval Results Within a Case-Based Support Framework for Architectural Design

摘要

In this paper, we describe the general structure and evaluation of a multi-agent based system module that was conceptualized to explain, and therefore, enrich the search results of the retrieval process within a distributed case-based framework for support of early conceptual design phase in architecture. This explanation module is implemented as an essential part of the framework and uses case-based agents, explanation ontology, and explanation patterns as its underlying foundational components. The module's main goal is to provide the user with additional information about the search results to make the framework's behavior during the retrieval stage more transparent and traceable. System's justification for displaying of results plays an important role as well, and is also included in the explanations. We evaluated the explanation generation process with a ground-truth set of explanations and a case-based validation process to ensure the suitability of the generated explanation expressions for displaying in user interfaces connected to the framework. The results of the evaluation confirmed our expectation and showed the general validity of the explanations.