Developing an Explanation Component for a Knowledge-Based System: Discussion

The papers in this special issue cover a wide range, and represent many different conceptions of "explanation" and what explanation research should be about. In this short discussion paper I will discuss some of the implications of this work for those trying to develop a practical explanation system. In particular I will focus on how explanation needs are determined, how detailed explanation content is chosen, and how the explanations provided relate to the problem solving activities of the system. 1. Introduction The term "explanation" means different things to different people. Some immediately think of the scientific notion of explanation, where some rationale is given for some, perhaps unexpected, observation. Others consider an explanation to be simply some information that elucidates or makes clear to someone something that was previously unclear. Still others may use the term to refer to a complex dialogue where information needs are determined and satisfied and participants ..