Measures how much a finding at one node (called the "varying node") is expected to reduce the variance of another node (called the "query node").

The query node is set by the particular sensv_bn created (see NewSensvToFinding_bn). The varying node is passed as Vnode.

GetVarianceOfReal_bn can only be used with query nodes that are discretized continuous nodes, or that have a real numeric value associated with each state. It measures the expected change squared in the expected real value of the query node, due to a finding at the varying node. This turns out to be the same as the expected decrease in variance of the expected real value of the query node, due to a finding at the varying node. The varying nodes do not have to be continuous or have real numeric values attached to their states.

The maximum possible decrease in variance of the query node, is when variance goes to zero, i.e., all uncertainty is removed. That happens when a finding is obtained for the query node itself. So to find the variance of a node, measure the variance reduction between a node and itself.

To create a sensv_bn that can measure variance reduction, pass REAL_SENSV + VARIANCE_SENSV for what_find when calling NewSensvToFinding_bn. For its Vnodes argument, pass a list of all the nodes that might later be passed as Vnode to this function.

The variance reduction between two nodes can depend greatly on what findings are entered elsewhere in the net, and this function will properly take that into account.

The first time this function is called by some sensv_bn after the findings of a net have changed, it takes longer to return, but after that, for each Vnode passed, it returns quickly.

This function is available as "Network -> Sensitivity to Finding" in Netica Application. For more information on it, contact Norsys for the "Sensitivity" document.