Comparing and Contrasting Rough Set with Logistic Regression for a Dataset

Abstract

Rough Set Theory (RST) is relatively new and powerful mathematical tool to deal with imperfect data (i.e. data with uncertainty and vagueness) which is primarily used for classification and decision making problems. On the other hand, Logistic regression (Logit) is mainly used in Social Sciences when dependent variable takes limited and categorical data value ranges. However, both RST and Logit regression are powerful predictable models that are used in wide range of applications such as medicine, military, banking, financial markets etc. RST uses approximations and implications as two formal tools to deal with vagueness whereas Logit regression is severely constrained to deal with vague and imprecise data. Yet, both these methodologies are used to classify the object which is the key issue in decision making. This research paper compares these two tools on a common dataset. SPSS 17.0 software is used to run the Logit regression and Rose 2 software is used for analysis of Rough Set. One of the important finding of this comparison is that attributes in core of the data set under the rough set approach are similar to the most significant predictors of logistic regression model. This indicates that the significant attributes deducted by these two methodologies are similar. It is demonstrated that rough set is much more superior tool to classify the objects as compared to logistic regression. One of the important outcomes of this research is that degree of accuracy is much higher in rough set as compared to logistic regression thereby establishing the supremacy of rough set as a better decision making tool.