Exploring Region Classifier Based on Kolmogorov Complexity

9 Pages Posted: 4 Nov 2009

See all articles by Kingsley E. Haynes

Kingsley E. Haynes

Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University

Rajendra Kulkarni

Schar School of Policy & Government, GMU

Roger R. Stough

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs

Laurie Schintler

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs

Abstract

In this paper we explore the development of a parameter free region classifier based on Kolmogorov complexity. Given a set of regions described by unlimited but fixed number of attributes for each region, the region classifier will be able to build a classification tree which will help identify which regions are similar/dissimilar to each other based on a relative distance measure derived from Kolmogorov complexity. The region classifier is tested with the block level US Census demographics data as well as hitech establishment data for a subset of metropolitan regions. Preliminary results are presented for the census data as well as for the hitech sector for three different time periods.

Keywords: Kolmogorov Complexity, Regional classification, Hitech

JEL Classification: O18, R19

Suggested Citation

Haynes, Kingsley E. and Kulkarni, Rajendra and Stough, Roger R. and Schintler, Laurie, Exploring Region Classifier Based on Kolmogorov Complexity. GMU School of Public Policy Research Paper No. 2010-01, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1499218 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1499218

Kingsley E. Haynes

Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University ( email )

Founders Hall
3351 Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

Rajendra Kulkarni (Contact Author)

Schar School of Policy & Government, GMU ( email )

Founders Hall
3351 Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

Roger R. Stough

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs ( email )

Founders Hall
3351 Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA 22201
United States
703-993-2268 (Phone)
703-993-5027 (Fax)

Laurie Schintler

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs ( email )

Founders Hall
3351 Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

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