CS 4824/ECE 4424 Project Proposal Ideas

Following are some project proposals ideas. For each of them, we provide an overview of the problem and suggest some resources to get you started. Feel free to use them as templates for planning, but you are not obligated to adhere to them.


Project Proposal 1: Identifying Communities and Influencers in Social Networks with Machine Learning

Overview:

The project focuses on analyzing social networks to identify distinct communities and influential users. Social networks are intricate webs of interactions and connections, reflecting complex social dynamics. Understanding these networks helps in mapping out how information spreads, identifying community structures, and recognizing key figures who influence these communities. This analysis is crucial for various applications, including marketing, information dissemination, and sociological research.

Dataset Suggestion:

Evaluation Metrics:

Introductory Materials:

  1. "A Survey of Community Detection Approaches: From Statistical Modeling to Deep Learning" by Di Jin, Zhizhi Yu, Pengfei Jiao, Shirui Pan, Dongxiao He, Jia Wu, Philip S. Yu, Weixiong Zhang.

    This review introduces the methods for Community Detection from statistical method to deep learning method.

    link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9511798?casa_token=63MaEA1MuzYAAAAA:0hLXERo8fo4nO5fdEXr4FyvmsfYyv4GM7R1IQwa6H3_QBjLOOuE9hGnmfz87sx_5076qgeSibA

    Comment: Read this first to get some knowledge about community detection

  2. "Detection of Opinion Leaders in Social Networks: A Survey" by Seifallah Arrami, Wided Oueslati, Jalel Akaichi

    This paper present different research works that aimed to detect opinions leaders in social network.

    link: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-59480-4_36

Tools and Packages:

  1. NetworkX: A Python package for the creation, manipulation, and study of complex networks.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://networkx.org/documentation/networkx-1.9.1/_downloads/networkx_tutorial.pdf
    2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ollW8lwZxNE
  2. Gephi: An open-source network analysis and visualization software.

    1. https://gephi.org/users/
    2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXtbL8avpik

 

 

Project Proposal 2: Machine Learning for Weather Prediction

Overview:

This project aims to leverage machine learning algorithms to improve the accuracy and reliability of weather predictions. By analyzing historical weather data, including temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and direction, the project seeks to forecast future weather conditions. The initiative will explore various machine learning models to identify patterns and correlations within the data, enabling more precise predictions of weather phenomena such as rain, storms, and temperature changes.

Dataset Suggestion:

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Introductory Materials:

  1. "Survey on weather prediction using big data analystics" by P. Chandrashaker Reddy, A. Suresh Babu

    This paper surveys methods for weather prediction using big data analytics, focusing on rainfall forecasting and the challenges of achieving accurate predictions. It emphasizes the importance of advanced models and data from meteorological departments to enhance forecasting techniques.

    link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8117883/

    Comment: Read this first to get some knowledge about weather prediction

  2. "Deep Learning Weather Forecasting Techniques: Literature Survey" by Ayman M. Abdalla, Iyad H. Ghaith, Abdelfatah A. Tamimi

    The paper provides a comparative analysis of deep learning models for weather forecasting, including CNNs, RNNs, and LSTMs. It focuses on their performance in predicting weather at different timescales and discusses the importance of model architecture, dataset evaluation, and prediction accuracy.

    link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9491774

    Comment: Read this paper to get some knowledge about applying deep learning on weather prediction

Tools and Packages:

  1. MetPy: A Python package designed for meteorological data processing, offering tools for reading, visualizing, and interpreting weather data.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQut5OXpV-0ir4IdllSt1iEZKTwFBa7kO
  2. GeoPandas: An extension of Pandas designed to make working with geospatial data in Python easier, useful for handling and analyzing weather data across different geographical locations.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7lliJXFt8w
    2. https://geopandas.org/en/stable/getting_started.html

 

 

Project Proposal 3: Machine Learning for Finance Fraud Detection

Overview:

This project aims to harness machine learning algorithms to detect fraudulent activities in the financial sector. By analyzing patterns within transactional data, customer behavior, and financial records, the initiative seeks to identify anomalous and potentially fraudulent transactions. Implementing machine learning models will provide a dynamic tool for financial institutions to enhance their security measures, reduce losses due to fraud, and protect customer assets. The project encapsulates the development and deployment of predictive models that can sift through vast datasets to flag suspicious activities, showcasing the critical role of machine learning in bolstering financial security.

Dataset Suggestion:

Evaluation Metrics:

Introductory Materials:

  1. "Financial Fraud Detection Based on Machine Learning: A Systematic Literature Review" by Abdulalem Ali, Shukor Abd Razak, Siti Hajar Othman, Taiseer Abdalla Elfadil Eisa, Arafat Al-Dhaqm, Maged Nasser, Tusneem Elhassan, Hashim Elshafie and Abdu Saif

    This review article provides a comprehensive examination of machine learning approaches to financial fraud detection, critically analyzing the effectiveness of various models and methodologies. It emphasizes the significance of Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in tackling fraud, particularly in credit card transactions, highlighting the evolving landscape of financial security challenges and the pivotal role of advanced analytical techniques in their mitigation.

    link: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/19/9637

    Comment: Read this first to get some knowledge about Financial Fraud

  2. "Financial Fraud: A Review of Anomaly Detection Techniques and Recent Advances" by Waleed Hilal, S. Andrew Gadsden, John Yawney

    This paper conducts a thorough review of anomaly detection techniques applied in financial fraud detection, focusing on recent advancements in semi-supervised and unsupervised learning models. It examines the evolution of fraud detection systems, addressing the shift from supervised learning models, which face significant challenges, to the promising potential of semi-supervised and unsupervised models in recent literature.

    link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0957417421017164

    Comment: Read this paper to get some knowledge about Anomaly Detection

Tools and Packages:

  1. PyOD (Python Outlier Detection): Specializes in detecting anomalies and outliers in data, which is crucial for identifying fraudulent activities. PyOD includes more than 20 algorithms, ranging from classical LOF (Local Outlier Factor) to contemporary deep learning models like AutoEncoders.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPjG_313GOw
    2. https://pyod.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

 

 

Project Proposal 4: Sentiment Analysis Using Machine Learning

Overview:

Sentiment Analysis using Machine Learning focuses on the automated process of identifying and categorizing opinions expressed in text to assess the writer's sentiment towards specific topics or the overall context. This approach leverages machine learning techniques to distinguish between positive, negative, and neutral sentiments within a wide array of text sources such as social media posts, product reviews, and customer feedback. By harnessing the power of machine learning algorithms, sentiment analysis transcends traditional linguistic rule-based methods, allowing for more nuanced and accurate interpretations of the complex variations in human emotions. This capability is especially beneficial for applications in market research, brand monitoring, and enhancing customer experience, where understanding consumer sentiment is crucial.

Description: The Overview section focuses on the background of the field, describing clearly the specific problem that the field is solving, so that the reader can get a quick sense of whether or not this is an area of interest to them. Neither the Topic nor the Overview should contain technology-specific statements, such as Sentiment Analysis Using NLP, to provide the reader with an open-ended Topic!

Dataset Suggestion:

Evaluation Metrics:

Introductory Materials:

  1. "A Survey on Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis: Tasks, Methods, and Challenges" by Wenxuan Zhang, Xin Li, Yang Deng, Lidong Bing, Wai Lam.

    This review article takes an in-depth look at aspect-based sentiment analysis, an important branch of sentiment analysis that involves analyzing the emotional tendencies of specific aspects of a text

    link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2203.01054

    Comment: Read this first to get some knowledge about sentiment analysis

  2. "Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for Sentiment Analysis of Short Texts" by Cicero Nogueira dos Santos and Maira Gatti

    This paper explores how deep convolutional neural networks can be used to handle sentiment analysis of short texts, which can be very helpful in understanding the sentiment analysis of different types of texts

    link: https://aclanthology.org/C14-1008/

    Comment: Classic paper in the field of Sentiment Analysis

Tools and Packages:

  1. Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK): A popular Python library that provides tools for handling text data, including tokenization, stemming, tagging, parsing, and more.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://www.analyticsvidhya.com/blog/2021/07/nltk-a-beginners-hands-on-guide-to-natural-language-processing/
    2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLZvOKSCkxY&list=PLQVvvaa0QuDf2JswnfiGkliBInZnIC4HL
  2. spaCy: Another powerful library for NLP in Python. It's known for its efficiency and ease of use in handling large text datasets.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://spacy.io/usage/spacy-101
  3. BERT and Transformers (Hugging Face): The Transformers library by Hugging Face provides a collection of state-of-the-art pre-trained models like BERT, GPT-2, T5, etc., which can be fine-tuned for specific tasks like sentiment analysis.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://www.unite.ai/complete-beginners-guide-to-hugging-face-llm-tools/
    2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00GKzGyWFEs&list=PLo2EIpI_JMQvWfQndUesu0nPBAtZ9gP1o

 

 

Project Proposal 5: Designing a Recommendation Engine

Overview:

The aim of this project is to develop a recommendation engine that mitigates decision fatigue and enhances user experiences on digital platforms. Utilizing sophisticated systems, the engine will analyze extensive datasets to suggest products, services, or content tailored to user preferences, based on their past behavior and other relevant factors. This personalization is crucial in aiding users to navigate the plethora of choices available online, enhancing engagement and satisfaction in domains such as entertainment, e-commerce, and social media. The project will leverage machine learning algorithms to refine and improve the accuracy of these recommendations continually.

Dataset Suggestion:

Evaluation Metrics:

Introductory Materials:

  1. "Matrix Factorization Techniques for Recommender Systems" by Yehuda Koren, Robert Bell, and Chris Volinsky

    This paper introduces the matrix factorization technique, a cornerstone approach in recommendation systems.

    link: https://datajobs.com/data-science-repo/Recommender-Systems-%5BNetflix%5D.pdf

  1. "Deep Learning based Recommender System: A Survey and New Perspectives" by Shuai Zhang, Lina Yao, Aixin Sun, and Yi Tay

    A survey covering the use of deep learning techniques in recommendation systems, providing insights into the field's advancements.

    link: https://arxiv.org/abs/1707.07435

Tools and Packages:

  1. Scikit-Learn: Offers tools for building recommendation systems using algorithms like matrix factorization.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://scikit-learn.org/stable/auto_examples/model_selection/plot_roc.html
  2. Deep Learning Libraries (Pytorch, TensorFlow, and Keras): Support the development of complex models for recommendation systems, including collaborative filtering and content-based recommendations.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://pytorch.org/tutorials/
    2. https://www.tensorflow.org/tutorials
    3. https://keras.io/examples/

 

 

Project Proposal 6: Iris Species Classification Using Machine Learning

Overview:

The Iris Species Classification project leverages machine learning to accurately classify iris plants into one of three species: Iris Setosa, Iris Versicolour, and Iris Virginica. This task is facilitated by analyzing the unique physical attributes of each iris species, which include sepal length, sepal width, petal length, and petal width. These features serve as the foundation for creating a predictive model that distinguishes between the species with high accuracy. The project not only embodies a classic problem in the field of machine learning but also provides a practical application of statistical pattern recognition and data analysis techniques.

Dataset Suggestion:

Evaluation Metrics:

Introductory Materials:

  1. ""Machine Learning, Neural and Statistical Classification" by D. Michie, D.J. Spiegelhalter, and C.C. Taylor

    This book provides a comprehensive overview of various classification methods, including statistical, neural, and machine learning approaches, with practical examples that can help understand the foundational concepts behind iris species classification.

  1. "Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning" by Christopher M. Bishop

    This textbook offers in-depth coverage of pattern recognition techniques and their application in machine learning, providing valuable insights into the methodologies that can be applied to the Iris Species Classification project.

Tools and Packages:

  1. Scikit-Learn: Offers tools for building recommendation systems using algorithms like matrix factorization.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://scikit-learn.org/stable/auto_examples/model_selection/plot_roc.html
    2. https://scikit-learn.org/stable/tutorial/index.html
  2. Deep Learning Libraries (Pytorch, TensorFlow, and Keras): Support the development of complex models for recommendation systems, including collaborative filtering and content-based recommendations.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://pytorch.org/tutorials/
    2. https://www.tensorflow.org/tutorials
    3. https://keras.io/examples/

 

 

Project Proposal 7: Machine Learning for Sales Forecasting

Overview:

Machine Learning for Sales Forecasting harnesses the predictive power of machine learning algorithms to estimate future sales volumes based on historical data and influencing factors. This approach is critical for businesses seeking to optimize inventory management, allocate resources efficiently, and develop strategic marketing campaigns. By leveraging machine learning, companies can move beyond traditional forecasting methods, which often rely on simple extrapolation, to embrace models that consider complex patterns, seasonal variations, and the impact of external factors such as economic indicators and promotional activities. The capacity to predict sales with greater accuracy enables businesses to respond more agilely to market demands, minimize overstock and understock situations, and improve overall financial performance.

Dataset Suggestion:

link: https://www.kaggle.com/competitions/walmart-recruiting-store-sales-forecasting/overview/description

Evaluation Metrics:

Introductory Materials:

  1. "Python for Data Analysis" by Wes McKinney"

    While not exclusively about forecasting, this book is essential for anyone working with data in Python. It provides a thorough introduction to using pandas, a key Python library for data manipulation and analysis, which is crucial for preparing your dataset for modeling.

  1. ""Introduction to Machine Learning with Python: A Guide for Data Scientists" by Andreas C. Müller & Sarah Guido

    This book offers a practical introduction to machine learning with Python, focusing on the use of scikit-learn. It's a great resource for understanding the fundamentals of machine learning and how to apply them to real-world problems, such as sales forecasting.

Tools and Packages:

  1. Scikit-Learn: Offers tools for building recommendation systems using algorithms like matrix factorization.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://scikit-learn.org/stable/auto_examples/model_selection/plot_roc.html
  2. Deep Learning Libraries (Pytorch, TensorFlow, and Keras): Support the development of complex models for recommendation systems, including collaborative filtering and content-based recommendations.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://pytorch.org/tutorials/
    2. https://www.tensorflow.org/tutorials
    3. https://keras.io/examples/

 

 

Project Proposal 8: Predicting Stock Prices Using Machine Learning

Overview:

The project, Predicting Stock Prices Using Machine Learning, dives into the complex and dynamic world of financial markets to tackle the age-old investing mantra of "buy low, sell high". This endeavor seeks to demystify the patterns of stock price movements by applying machine learning algorithms on historical trading data. The objective is to forecast future stock prices, thus providing investors with insights that could potentially lead to more informed decision-making. The challenge lies in the unpredictable nature of the stock market, influenced by numerous factors including economic indicators, company performance, and global events. By leveraging machine learning, this project aims to decode the seemingly random fluctuations in stock prices, offering a quantitative tool to aid in the prediction of stock trends.

Dataset Suggestion:

Evaluation Metrics:

Introductory Materials:

  1. "Machine Learning for Stock Price Prediction: From Basics to Advanced" by Jason Brownlee

    This comprehensive guide covers various aspects of applying machine learning to stock price prediction, from foundational concepts to more advanced techniques.

    link: https://machinelearningmastery.com/start-here/#deep_learning_time_series

  2. "Forecasting Stock Returns through Machine Learning Models" by Roberto Maestre and Yuwei Chen

    This paper provides an in-depth analysis of different machine learning models for stock return prediction, comparing their performance and applicability.

    link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0957417419307280

Tools and Packages:

  1. Scikit-Learn: Offers tools for building recommendation systems using algorithms like matrix factorization.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://scikit-learn.org/stable/auto_examples/model_selection/plot_roc.html
  2. Deep Learning Libraries (Pytorch, TensorFlow, and Keras): Support the development of complex models for recommendation systems, including collaborative filtering and content-based recommendations.

    Tutorials:

    1. https://pytorch.org/tutorials/
    2. https://www.tensorflow.org/tutorials
    3. https://keras.io/examples/