14. Graph-Based Hierarchical Record Clustering for Unsupervised Entity Resolution

Here we study the problem of matched record clustering in unsupervised entity resolution. We build upon a state-of-the-art probabilistic framework named the Data Washing Machine (DWM). We introduce a graph-based hierarchical 2-step record clustering method (GDWM) that first identifies large, connected components or, as we call them, soft clusters in the matched record pairs using a graph-based transitive closure. That is followed by breaking down the discovered soft clusters into more precise entity profiles in a hierarchical manner using an adapted graph-based modularity optimization method. Our approach provides several advantages over the original implementation of the DWM, mainly a significant speed-up, increased precision, and overall increased F1 scores. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach using experiments on multiple synthetic datasets. Our results also provide some evidence of the utility of graph theory-based algorithms despite their sparsity in the literature on unsupervised entity resolution.