Artificial Neural Networks: An Introduction

by Kevin L. Priddy

This tutorial text provides the reader with an understanding of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and their application, beginning with the biological systems which inspired them, through the learning methods that have been developed and the data collection processes, to the many ways ANNs are being used today. The material is presented with a minimum of math (although the mathematical details are included in the appendices for interested readers), and with a maximum of hands-on experience. All specialized terms are included in a glossary. The result is a highly readable text that will teach the engineer the guiding principles necessary to use and apply artificial neural networks. Contents - Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Learning Methods
- Data Normalization
- Data Collection, Preparation, Labeling, and Input Coding
- Output Coding
- Post-Processing
- Supervised Training Methods
- Unsupervised Training Methods
- Recurrent Neural Networks
- A Plethora of Applications
- Dealing with Limited Amounts of Data
- Appendix The Feedforward Neural Network
- Appendix Feature Saliency
- Appendix Matlab Code for Various Neural Networks
- Appendix Glossary of Terms
- References
- Index

Paperback

Published August 29, 2005

Reviews

[minhhai · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very conceptual introduction to the field of artificial neural networks. It can be helpful in gaining basic understanding and some technical terms, especially for lay/non-technical audience. All the maths is pushed in the the appendices.

Unfortunately, I find it difficult to recommend this book, for several reasons:
- Unclear targeted audience: The main text is pure conceptual description with no maths, which makes very little sense (who wants to learn AI without maths?). The appendices, on the contrary, are pure maths and Matlab codes! A hybrid approach should work better.
- Oudated references: The book was copyrighted in 2005, but most (if not all) references are in the '90s or '80s.
- There are many useless figures and tables just being there to fill up the pages.