Performance Assessment for Students using Different Defuzzification Techniques # IJIRST India

Paper Title:- Performance Assessment for Students using Different Defuzzification Techniques

Author Name:- Anjana Pradeep, Jeena Thomas

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Abstract:- The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of students using a fuzzy expert system. The fuzzy process is based solely on the principle of taking non-precise inputs on the factors affecting the performance of students and subjecting them to fuzzy arithmetic to obtain a crisp value of the performance. The system classifies each student's performance by considering various factors using fuzzy logic. Aimed at improving the performance of fuzzy system, several defuzzification methods other than the built methods in MATLAB have been devised in this system for producing more accurate and quantifiable result.  This study provides comparison and in depth examination of various defuzzification techniques like Weighted Average Formula (WAF), WAF-max method and Quality Method (QM). A new defuzzification method named as Max-QM which is extended from Quality method that falls within the general framework is also given and commented upon in this study.      

Keywords: Fuzzy logic, Fuzzy Expert System, Defuzzification, Weighted Average Formula, Quality Method 

I.   Introduction

An expert system is a software program that can be used to solve complex reasoning tasks that usually require a (human) expert. In other words, an expert system should help a novice, or partly experienced, problem solver, to match acknowledged experts in the particular domain of problem solving that the system is designed to assist. To be more specific, expert systems are generally conceptualized as shown in Fig 1. The user makes an interaction through the interface system and the system questions the user through the same interface in order to obtain the vital information upon which a decision is to be made. Behind this interface, there are two other sub-systems viz. the knowledge base, which is made up of all the domain-specific knowledge that human experts use when solving that category of problems and the inference engine, a system that performs the necessary reasoning and uses knowledge from the knowledge base in order to come to a judgment with respect to the problem modelled [1].

     Expert system has been playing a major role in many disciplines such as in medicines, assist physician in diagnosis of diseases, in agriculture for crop management, insect control, in space technology and  in power systems for fault diagnosis[5]. Some expert systems have been developed to replace human experts and to aid humans. The use of an expert system is increasing day by day in today’s world [40]. Expert systems are becoming an integral part of engineering education and even other courses like accounting and management are also accepting them as a better way of teaching[4].Another feature that makes expert system more demanding for students is its ability to adaptively adjust the training for each particular student on the bases of individual students learning pace. This feature can be used more effectively in teaching engineering students. It should be able to monitor student’s progress and make a decision about the next step in training.

Fig. 1: Expert system structure

        The few expert systems available in the market present a lot of opportunities for the students who desire more spotlight and time to learn the subjects. Some expert systems present an interactive and friendly environment for students which encourage them to study and adopt a more practical approach towards learning. The expert systems can also act as an assistor or substitute for the teacher. Expert systems focus on each student individually and also keep track of their learning pace. This behavior of an expert system provides autonomous learning procedure for both student and teacher, where teachers act as mentor and students can judge their own performance. Expert system is not only beneficial for the students but also for the teachers which help them guiding students in a better way.

        The integration of fuzzy logic with an expert system enhances its capability and is called a fuzzy expert system, as it is useful for solving real world problems which do not require a precise solution. So, there is a need to develop a fuzzy expert system as it can handle imprecise data efficiently and reduces the manual working while enhancing the use of expert system[40].

      There are various factors inside and outside college that results in poor quality of academic performance of students[2,3]. To determine all the influencing factors in a single effort is a complex and difficult task. It necessitates a lot of resources and time for an educator to identify all these factors first and then plan the classroom activities and approaches of teaching and learning. It also requires appropriate training, organizational planning and skills to conduct such studies for determining the contributing factors inside and outside college. This process of identification of determinants must be given full attention and priority so that the teachers may be able to develop instructional strategies for making sure that all the students be provided with the opportunities to attain at their fullest potential in learning and performance.  By using suitable statistical package it was found that communication, learning facilities, proper guidance and family stress were the factors that affect the student performance. Communication, learning facilities and proper guidance showed a positive impact on student performance and family stress showed a negative impact on student performance. It is indicated that communication is more important factor that affect the student performance than learning facilities and proper guidance [3].

      In this research article seven most important factors are included which affect the students’ performance. These are personal factors, college environment, family factors, and university factors, teaching factors, attendance and marks obtained by students. All these factors are scaled and ranked based on the various sub-factors that are further divided from the base factors. In this study the students’ marks have been focused and not solely on social, economic, and cultural features.  To evaluate students’ performance, fuzzy expert system has been developed by considering all the seven factors as inputs to the system. This system has been developed by taking the data of students collected from St. Josephs College of Engineering and Technology, Palai affiliated to M.G University.

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