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Reviews of publications on Info-Gap decision theory

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Review # 3 (Posted: April 5, 2009; Last update: April 5, 2009)

Reference:	Atte Moilanen, Michael C. Runge, Jane Elith, Andrew Tyre, Yohay Carmel, Eric Fegraus, Brendan A. Wintle, Mark Burgman, Yakov Ben-Haim. Planning for robust reserve networks using uncertainty analysis Ecological modelling, 199, 115-124, 2006.
Abstract	Planning land-use for biodiversity conservation frequently involves computer-assisted reserve selection algorithms. Typically such algorithms operate on matrices of species presence-absence in sites, or on species-specific distributions of model predicted probabilities of occurrence in grid cells. There are practically always errors in input data-erroneous species presence-absence data, structural and parametric uncertainty in predictive habitat models, and lack of correspondence between temporal presence and long-run persistence. Despite these uncertainties, typical reserve selection methods proceed as if there is no uncertainty in the data or models. Having two conservation options of apparently equal biological value, one would prefer the option whose value is relatively insensitive to errors in planning inputs. In this work we show how uncertainty analysis for reserve planning can be implemented within a framework of information-gap decision theory, generating reserve designs that are robust to uncertainty. Consideration of uncertainty involves modifications to the typical objective functions used in reserve selection. Search for robust-optimal reserve structures can still be implemented via typical reserve selection optimization techniques, including stepwise heuristics, integer-programming and stochastic global search.
Acknowledgement	This work was conducted as a part of the Working Group on "Setting priorities and making decisions for conservation risk management", supported by the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, a Center funded by NSF (Grant # DEB-94-21535), the University of California at Santa Barbara, and the State of California. A.M. acknowledges support from the Academy of Finland project #1206883 and The Finnish Center of Excellence Programme 2000-2005, grant #44887.
Scores	TUIGF:110% SNHNSNDN:100% GIGO:100%

This is a typical TUIGF article. The reason for it being on my list is the following quote (last paragraph of the discussion section, emphasis is mine):

In summary, we recommend info-gap uncertainty analysis as a standard practice in computational reserve planning. The need for robust reserve plans may change the way biological data are interpreted. It also may change the way reserve selection results are evaluated, interpreted and communicated. Information-gap decision theory provides a standardized methodological framework in which implementing reserve selection uncertainty analyses is relatively straightforward. We believe that alternative planning methods that consider robustness to model and data error should be preferred whenever models are based on uncertain data, which is probably the case with nearly all data sets used in reserve planning.

My favorite quote from this paper, however, is this (page 118)

Under severe uncertainty (Ben-Haim, 2006), we do not know the horizon of uncertainty, that is, we do not have a meaningful estimate of the error, but info-gap theory still allows us to specify an uncertainty model.

In other words, in spite of the fact that you do not have a meaningful estimate of the error, you somehow construct a meaningful quantitative uncertainty model.

Furthermore, Info-Gap decision theory prescribes using this very model to determine the robustness of decisions against severe uncertainty, so as to ultimately select the best -- most robust -- decision. So, following Info-Gaps prescription, the proposition made by this article is that an analysis in the neighborhood of the poor estimate will enable you to identify decisions that are robust against severe uncertainty! It is as if the authors have never heard of the GIGO Axiom.

What the authors do not tell us is this: Info-Gap's uncertainty model does not quantify the uncertainty under consideration. It merely imposes on the complete region of uncertainty an ad hoc distance function that stipulates the distance of points in the regions of uncertainty from the given poor estimate. This distance tell us nothing about the uncertainty. The fact that u' is closer to the estimate than u'' says nothing about the uncertainty associated with u' and u''. For instance, it does not tell us that u' is more/less likely than u''.

So what is the rationale for a priori restricting the robustness analysis to the neighborhood of the poor estimate?

Interestingly, this fixation with the neighborhood of the estimate means that not only are Black Swans totally outside the purview of Info-Gap decision theory, which as you will recall, is purportedly designed to tackle the severest (Knightian) uncertainty imaginable. It can't even deal with ordinary, plain, snow-white swans.

The extra 10% for the TUIGF score is awarded for the recommendation to adopt ".. info-gap uncertainty analysis as a standard practice in computational reserve planning ..."

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Other Reviews

1. Ben-Haim (2001, 2006): Info-Gap Decision Theory: decisions under severe uncertainty.


2. Regan et al (2005): Robust decision-making under severe uncertainty for conservation management.


3. Moilanen et al (2006): Planning for robust reserve networks using uncertainty analysis.


4. Burgman (2008): Shakespeare, Wald and decision making under severe uncertainty.


5. Ben-Haim and Demertzis (2008): Confidence in monetary policy.


6. Hall and Harvey (2009): Decision making under severe uncertainty for flood risk management: a case study of info-gap robustness analysis.


7. Ben-Haim (2009): Info-gap forecasting and the advantage of sub-optimal models.


8. Yokomizo et al (2009): Managing the impact of invasive species: the value of knowing the density-impact curve.


9. Davidovitch et al (2009): Info-gap theory and robust design of surveillance for invasive species: The case study of Barrow Island.


10. Ben-Haim et al (2009): Do we know how to set decision thresholds for diabetes?


11. Beresford and Thompson (2009): An info-gap approach to managing portfolios of assets with uncertain returns


12. Ben-Haim, Dacso, Carrasco, and Rajan (2009): Heterogeneous uncertainties in cholesterol management


13. Rout, Thompson, and McCarthy (2009): Robust decisions for declaring eradication of invasive species


14. Ben-Haim (2010): Info-Gap Economics: An Operational Introduction


15. Hine and Hall (2010): Information gap analysis of flood model uncertainties and regional frequency analysis


16. Ben-Haim (2010): Interpreting Null Results from Measurements with Uncertain Correlations: An Info-Gap Approach


17. Wintle et al. (2010): Allocating monitoring effort in the face of unknown unknowns


18. Moffitt et al. (2010): Securing the Border from Invasives: Robust Inspections under Severe Uncertainty


19. Yemshanov et al. (2010): Robustness of Risk Maps and Survey Networks to Knowledge Gaps About a New Invasive Pest


20. Davidovitch and Ben-Haim (2010): Robust satisficing voting: why are uncertain voters biased towards sincerity?


21. Schwartz et al. (2010): What Makes a Good Decision? Robust Satisficing as a Normative Standard of Rational Decision Making


22. Arkadeb Ghosal et al. (2010): Computing Robustness of FlexRay Schedules to Uncertainties in Design Parameters


23. Hemez et al. (2002): Info-gap robustness for the correlation of tests and simulations of a non-linear transient


24. Hemez et al. (2003): Applying information-gap reasoning to the predictive accuracy assessment of transient dynamics simulations


25. Hemez, F.M. and Ben-Haim, Y. (2004): Info-gap robustness for the correlation of tests and simulations of a non-linear transient


26. Ben-Haim, Y. (2007): Frequently asked questions about info-gap decision theory


27. Sprenger, J. (2011): The Precautionary Approach and the Role of Scientists in Environmental Decision-Making


28. Sprenger, J. (2011): Precaution with the Precautionary Principle: How does it help in making decisions


29. Hall et al. (2011): Robust climate policies under uncertainty: A comparison of Info-­-Gap and RDM methods


30. Ben-Haim and Cogan (2011) : Linear bounds on an uncertain non-linear oscillator: an info-gap approach


31. Van der Burg and Tyre (2011) : Integrating info-gap decision theory with robust population management: a case study using the Mountain Plover


32. Hildebrandt and Knoke (2011) : Investment decisions under uncertainty --- A methodological review on forest science studies.


33. Wintle et al. (2011) : Ecological-economic optimization of biodiversity conservation under climate change.


34. Ranger et al. (2011) : Adaptation in the UK: a decision-making process.

Recent Articles, Working Papers, Notes

Also, see my complete list of articles

Moshe's new book!

• Sniedovich, M. (2012) Fooled by local robustness, Risk Analysis, in press.


• Sniedovich, M. (2012) Black swans, new Nostradamuses, voodoo decision theories and the science of decision-making in the face of severe uncertainty, International Transactions in Operational Research, in press.


• Sniedovich, M. (2011) A classic decision theoretic perspective on worst-case analysis, Applications of Mathematics, 56(5), 499-509.


• Sniedovich, M. (2011) Dynamic programming: introductory concepts, in Wiley Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science (EORMS), Wiley.


• Caserta, M., Voss, S., Sniedovich, M. (2011) Applying the corridor method to a blocks relocation problem, OR Spectrum, 33(4), 815-929, 2011.


• Sniedovich, M. (2011) Dynamic Programming: Foundations and Principles, Second Edition, Taylor & Francis.


• Sniedovich, M. (2010) A bird's view of Info-Gap decision theory, Journal of Risk Finance, 11(3), 268-283.


• Sniedovich M. (2009) Modeling of robustness against severe uncertainty, pp. 33- 42, Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Operational Research, SOR'09, Nova Gorica, Slovenia, September 23-25, 2009.


• Sniedovich M. (2009) A Critique of Info-Gap Robustness Model. In: Martorell et al. (eds), Safety, Reliability and Risk Analysis: Theory, Methods and Applications, pp. 2071-2079, Taylor and Francis Group, London.
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• Sniedovich M. (2009) A Classical Decision Theoretic Perspective on Worst-Case Analysis, Working Paper No. MS-03-09, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne.(PDF File)


• Caserta, M., Voss, S., Sniedovich, M. (2008) The corridor method - A general solution concept with application to the blocks relocation problem. In: A. Bruzzone, F. Longo, Y. Merkuriev, G. Mirabelli and M.A. Piera (eds.), 11th International Workshop on Harbour, Maritime and Multimodal Logistics Modeling and Simulation, DIPTEM, Genova, 89-94.


• Sniedovich, M. (2008) FAQS about Info-Gap Decision Theory, Working Paper No. MS-12-08, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, (PDF File)


• Sniedovich, M. (2008) A Call for the Reassessment of the Use and Promotion of Info-Gap Decision Theory in Australia (PDF File)


• Sniedovich, M. (2008) Info-Gap decision theory and the small applied world of environmental decision-making, Working Paper No. MS-11-08
  This is a response to comments made by Mark Burgman on my criticism of Info-Gap (PDF file )


• Sniedovich, M. (2008) A call for the reassessment of Info-Gap decision theory, Decision Point, 24, 10.


• Sniedovich, M. (2008) From Shakespeare to Wald: modeling wors-case analysis in the face of severe uncertainty, Decision Point, 22, 8-9.


• Sniedovich, M. (2008) Wald's Maximin model: a treasure in disguise!, Journal of Risk Finance, 9(3), 287-291.


• Sniedovich, M. (2008) Anatomy of a Misguided Maximin formulation of Info-Gap's Robustness Model (PDF File)
  In this paper I explain, again, the misconceptions that Info-Gap proponents seem to have regarding the relationship between Info-Gap's robustness model and Wald's Maximin model.


• Sniedovich. M. (2008) The Mighty Maximin! (PDF File)
  This paper is dedicated to the modeling aspects of Maximin and robust optimization.


• Sniedovich, M. (2007) The art and science of modeling decision-making under severe uncertainty, Decision Making in Manufacturing and Services, 1-2, 111-136. (PDF File) .


• Sniedovich, M. (2007) Crystal-Clear Answers to Two FAQs about Info-Gap (PDF File)
  In this paper I examine the two fundamental flaws in Info-Gap decision theory, and the flawed attempts to shrug off my criticism of Info-Gap decision theory.


• My reply (PDF File) to Ben-Haim's response to one of my papers. (April 22, 2007)

  This is an exciting development!

  • Ben-Haim's response confirms my assessment of Info-Gap. It is clear that Info-Gap is fundamentally flawed and therefore unsuitable for decision-making under severe uncertainty.
  
  
  • Ben-Haim is not familiar with the fundamental concept point estimate. He does not realize that a function can be a point estimate of another function.

    So when you read my papers make sure that you do not misinterpret the notion point estimate. The phrase "A is a point estimate of B" simply means that A is an element of the same topological space that B belongs to. Thus, if B is say a probability density function and A is a point estimate of B, then A is a probability density function belonging to the same (assumed) set (family) of probability density functions.

    Ben-Haim mistakenly assumes that a point estimate is a point in a Euclidean space and therefore a point estimate cannot be say a function. This is incredible!



• A formal proof that Info-Gap is Wald's Maximin Principle in disguise. (December 31, 2006)
  This is a very short article entitled Eureka! Info-Gap is Worst Case (maximin) in Disguise! (PDF File)
  It shows that Info-Gap is not a new theory but rather a simple instance of Wald's famous Maximin Principle dating back to 1945, which in turn goes back to von Neumann's work on Maximin problems in the context of Game Theory (1928).


• A proof that Info-Gap's uncertainty model is fundamentally flawed. (December 31, 2006)
  This is a very short article entitled The Fundamental Flaw in Info-Gap's Uncertainty Model (PDF File) .
  It shows that because Info-Gap deploys a single point estimate under severe uncertainty, there is no reason to believe that the solutions it generates are likely to be robust.


• A math-free explanation of the flaw in Info-Gap. ( December 31, 2006)
  This is a very short article entitled The GAP in Info-Gap (PDF File) .
  It is a math-free version of the paper above. Read it if you are allergic to math.


• A long essay entitled What's Wrong with Info-Gap? An Operations Research Perspective (PDF File) (December 31, 2006).
  This is a paper that I presented at the ASOR Recent Advances in Operations Research (PDF File) mini-conference (December 1, 2006, Melbourne, Australia).

Recent Lectures, Seminars, Presentations

If your organization is promoting Info-Gap, I suggest that you invite me for a seminar at your place. I promise to deliver a lively, informative, entertaining and convincing presentation explaining why it is not a good idea to use — let alone promote — Info-Gap as a decision-making tool.

Here is a list of relevant lectures/seminars on this topic that I gave in the last two years.

ASOR Recent Advances, 2011, Melbourne, Australia, November 16 2011. Presentation: The Power of the (peer-reviewed) Word. (PDF file).

• Alex Rubinov Memorial Lecture The Art, Science, and Joy of (mathematical) Decision-Making, November 7, 2011, The University of Ballarat. (PDF file).


• Black Swans, Modern Nostradamuses, Voodoo Decision Theories, and the Science of Decision-Making in the Face of Severe Uncertainty (PDF File) .
  (Invited tutorial, ALIO/INFORMS Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 6-9, 2010).


• A Critique of Info-Gap Decision theory: From Voodoo Decision-Making to Voodoo Economics(PDF File) .
  (Recent Advances in OR, RMIT, Melbourne, Australia, November 25, 2009)


• Robust decision-making in the face of severe uncertainty(PDF File) .
  (GRIPS, Tokyo, Japan, October 16, 2009)


• Decision-making in the face of severe uncertainty(PDF File) .
  (KORDS'09 Conference, Vilnius, Lithuania, September 30 -- OCtober 3, 2009)


• Modeling robustness against severe uncertainty (PDF File) .
  (SOR'09 Conference, Nova Gorica, Slovenia, September 23-25, 2009)


• How do you recognize a Voodoo decision theory?(PDF File) .
  (School of Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences, RMIT, June 26, 2009).


• Black Swans, Modern Nostradamuses, Voodoo Decision Theories, Info-Gaps, and the Science of Decision-Making in the Face of Severe Uncertainty (PDF File) .
  (Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics, Monash University, May 8, 2009).


• The Rise and Rise of Voodoo Decision Theory.
  ASOR Recent Advances, Deakin University, November 26, 2008. This presentation was based on the pages on my website (voodoo.moshe-online.com).


• Responsible Decision-Making in the face of Severe Uncertainty (PDF File) .
  (Singapore Management University, Singapore, September 29, 2008)


• A Critique of Info-Gap's Robustness Model (PDF File) .
  (ESREL/SRA 2008 Conference, Valencia, Spain, September 22-25, 2008)


• Robust Decision-Making in the Face of Severe Uncertainty (PDF File) .
  (Technion, Haifa, Israel, September 15, 2008)


• The Art and Science of Robust Decision-Making (PDF File) .
  (AIRO 2008 Conference, Ischia, Italy, September 8-11, 2008 )


• The Fundamental Flaws in Info-Gap Decision Theory (PDF File) .
  (CSIRO, Canberra, July 9, 2008 )


• Responsible Decision-Making in the Face of Severe Uncertainty (PDF File) .
  (OR Conference, ADFA, Canberra, July 7-8, 2008 )


• Responsible Decision-Making in the Face of Severe Uncertainty (PDF File) .
  (University of Sydney Seminar, May 16, 2008 )


• Decision-Making Under Severe Uncertainty: An Australian, Operational Research Perspective (PDF File) .
  (ASOR National Conference, Melbourne, December 3-5, 2007 )


• A Critique of Info-Gap (PDF File) .
  (SRA 2007 Conference, Hobart, August 20, 2007)


• What exactly is wrong with Info-Gap? A Decision Theoretic Perspective (PDF File) .
  (MS Colloquium, University of Melbourne, August 1, 2007)


• A Formal Look at Info-Gap Theory (PDF File) .
  (ORSUM Seminar , University of Melbourne, May 21, 2007)


• The Art and Science of Decision-Making Under Severe Uncertainty (PDF File) .
  (ACERA seminar, University of Melbourne, May 4, 2007)


• What exactly is Info-Gap? An OR perspective. (PDF File)
  ASOR Recent Advances in Operations Research mini-conference (December 1, 2006, Melbourne, Australia).

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Disclaimer: This page, its contents and style, are the responsibility of the author (Moshe Sniedovich) and do not represent the views, policies or opinions of the organizations he is associated/affiliated with.

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