Eigenvalue-based model selection during latent semantic indexing

This study describes amended parallel analysis (APA), a novel method for model selection in unsupervised learning problems such as information retrieval (IR). At issue is the selection of k, the number of dimensions retained under latent semantic indexing (LSI). APA is an elaboration of Horn’s parallel analysis, which advocates retaining eigenvalues larger than those that we would expect under term independence. APA operates by deriving confidence intervals on these “null eigenvalues.” The technique amounts to a series of non-parametric hypothesis tests on the correlation matrix eigenvalues. In the study, APA is tested along with four established dimensionality estimators on six standard IR test collections. These estimates are evaluated with regard to two IR performance metrics. Additionally, results from simulated data are reported. In both rounds of experimentation APA performs well, predicting the best values of k on three of twelve observations, with good predictions on several others, and never offering the worst estimate of optimal dimensionality.