How to Use OCTIS: Optimizing and Comparing Topic Models Made Simple

Jun 17, 2023 | Data Science

In the world of Natural Language Processing, topic modeling is an essential technique for summarizing and understanding vast amounts of text data. The OCTIS framework streamlines this process, making it easier than ever to train, analyze, and compare different topic models. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to leverage OCTIS effectively.

Getting Started with OCTIS

Before diving into topic modeling, you need to install the OCTIS library. Here’s how you can do it:

pip install octis

Main Features of OCTIS

  • Preprocess your dataset or utilize existing benchmark datasets.
  • Implement popular topic models, both classical and neural.
  • Evaluate models using state-of-the-art metrics.
  • Optimize hyperparameters using a Bayesian optimization approach.
  • Utilize a Python library or an intuitive web dashboard for user-friendly control.

Step-by-Step Guide to Topic Modeling

1. Load a Preprocessed Dataset

OCTIS makes it simple to load datasets. You can choose from various pre-existing datasets or load your own. For instance:

from octis.dataset.dataset import Dataset
dataset = Dataset()
dataset.fetch_dataset('20NewsGroup')

Make sure to use the exact case-sensitive dataset names provided by OCTIS.

2. Preprocess Your Dataset

To get your data ready for modeling, you can preprocess it like this:

import os
import string
from octis.preprocessing.preprocessing import Preprocessing

preprocessor = Preprocessing(vocabulary=None, max_features=None, 
                             remove_punctuation=True, 
                             punctuation=string.punctuation,
                             lemmatize=True)
dataset = preprocessor.preprocess_dataset(documents_path='corpus.txt',
                                           labels_path='labels.txt')
dataset.save('hello_dataset')

Think of preprocessing like preparing the ingredients before cooking—the better your prep, the better the end result!

3. Train Your Model

To build a model, load a preprocessed dataset and set the hyperparameters. Here’s how you can train a model using the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) approach:

from octis.dataset.dataset import Dataset
from octis.models.LDA import LDA

dataset = Dataset()
dataset.load_custom_dataset_from_folder('dataset_folder')
model = LDA(num_topics=25)
model_output = model.train_model(dataset)

4. Evaluate Your Model

After training, the next step is evaluating your model’s performance:

from octis.evaluation_metrics.diversity_metrics import TopicDiversity

metric = TopicDiversity(topk=10)
topic_diversity_score = metric.score(model_output)

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Installation Issues: Ensure you have the correct version of Python installed and try running the installation command in your terminal or command prompt.
  • Dataset Issues: If a dataset fails to load, double-check the naming and file path. Remember, names are case-sensitive!
  • Data Preprocessing Errors: Ensure your data files meet the required format specified in the OCTIS documentation.
  • For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Wrapping Up

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’re well on your way to optimizing and comparing topic models with OCTIS. Whether you’re conducting research or developing an application, this tool can significantly enhance your text data analysis.

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

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