Nearly Optimal Subdata Selection

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Yang, Min, Zheng, Wei, Stufken, John, Chang, Ming-Chung, Tian, Ting, Wang, Xueqin
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Yang, Min
Zheng, Wei
Stufken, John
Chang, Ming-Chung
Tian, Ting
Wang, Xueqin
author_facet Yang, Min
Zheng, Wei
Stufken, John
Chang, Ming-Chung
Tian, Ting
Wang, Xueqin
contents When, in terms of the number of data points, the size of a dataset exceeds available computing resources, or when labeling is expensive, an attractive solution consists of selecting only some of the data points (subdata) for further consideration. A central question for selecting subdata of size $n$ from $N$ available data points is which $n$ points to select. While an answer to this question depends on the objective, one approach for a parametric model and a focus on parameter estimation is to select subdata that retains maximal information. Identifying such subdata is a classical NP-hard problem due to its inherent discreteness. Based on optimal approximate design theory, we develop a new methodology for information-based subdata selection, resulting in subdata that approaches the optimal solution. To achieve this, we develop a novel algorithm that applies to a general model, accommodates arbitrary choices of $N$ and $n$, and supports multiple optimality criteria, and we prove its convergence. Moreover, the new methodology facilitates an assessment of the efficiency of subdata selected by any method by obtaining tight lower and upper bounds for the efficiency. We show that the subdata obtained through the new methodology is highly efficient and outperforms all existing methods.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2604_23930
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Nearly Optimal Subdata Selection
Yang, Min
Zheng, Wei
Stufken, John
Chang, Ming-Chung
Tian, Ting
Wang, Xueqin
Methodology
Machine Learning
When, in terms of the number of data points, the size of a dataset exceeds available computing resources, or when labeling is expensive, an attractive solution consists of selecting only some of the data points (subdata) for further consideration. A central question for selecting subdata of size $n$ from $N$ available data points is which $n$ points to select. While an answer to this question depends on the objective, one approach for a parametric model and a focus on parameter estimation is to select subdata that retains maximal information. Identifying such subdata is a classical NP-hard problem due to its inherent discreteness. Based on optimal approximate design theory, we develop a new methodology for information-based subdata selection, resulting in subdata that approaches the optimal solution. To achieve this, we develop a novel algorithm that applies to a general model, accommodates arbitrary choices of $N$ and $n$, and supports multiple optimality criteria, and we prove its convergence. Moreover, the new methodology facilitates an assessment of the efficiency of subdata selected by any method by obtaining tight lower and upper bounds for the efficiency. We show that the subdata obtained through the new methodology is highly efficient and outperforms all existing methods.
title Nearly Optimal Subdata Selection
topic Methodology
Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.23930