Experience,introspection and expertise: Learning to refine the case-based reasoning process

The case-based reasoning paradigm models how reuse of stored experiences contributes to expertise. In a case-based problem-solver, new problems are solved by retrieving stored information about previous problem-solving episodes and adapting it to suggest solutions to the new problems. The results are then themselves added to the reasoner's memory in new cases for future use. Despite this emphasis on learning from experience, however, experience generally plays a minimal role in models of how the case-based reasoning process is itself performed. Case-based reasoning systems generally do not refine the methods they use to retrieve or adapt prior cases, instead relying on static pre-defined procedures. The thesis of this article is that learning from experience can play a key role in building expertise by refining the case-based reasoning process itself. To support that view and to illustrate the practicality of learning to refine case-based reasoning, this article presents ongoing research into using introspective reasoning about the case-based reasoning process to increase expertise at retrieving and adapting stored cases.