Cluster-oriented ensemble classifier : impact of multi-cluster characterisation on ensemble classifier learning

This paper presents a novel cluster oriented ensemble classifier. The proposed ensemble classifier is based on original concepts such as learning of cluster boundaries by the base classifiers and mapping of cluster confidences to class decision using a fusion classifier. The categorised data set is characterised into multiple clusters and fed to a number of distinctive base classifiers. The base classifiers learn cluster boundaries and produce cluster confidence vectors. A second level fusion classifier combines the cluster confidences and maps to class decisions. The proposed ensemble classifier modifies the learning domain for the base classifiers and facilitates efficient learning. The proposed approach is evaluated on benchmark data sets from UCI machine learning repository to identify the impact of multi-cluster boundaries on classifier learning and classification accuracy. The experimental results and two–tailed sign test demonstrate the superiority of the proposed cluster oriented ensemble classifier over existing ensemble classifiers published in the literature.