Understanding metric-related pitfalls in image analysis validation

TL;DR

This paper provides a comprehensive, accessible resource on common pitfalls in validation metrics for image analysis, aiming to improve research reliability and cross-disciplinary understanding.

Contribution

It introduces a structured, expert-validated taxonomy of pitfalls in validation metrics, with illustrative examples, enhancing accessibility for researchers across disciplines.

Findings

Identified key pitfalls in validation metrics for image analysis.

Developed a comprehensive taxonomy of pitfalls.

Provided illustrative examples for each pitfall.

Abstract

Validation metrics are key for the reliable tracking of scientific progress and for bridging the current chasm between artificial intelligence (AI) research and its translation into practice. However, increasing evidence shows that particularly in image analysis, metrics are often chosen inadequately in relation to the underlying research problem. This could be attributed to a lack of accessibility of metric-related knowledge: While taking into account the individual strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of validation metrics is a critical prerequisite to making educated choices, the relevant knowledge is currently scattered and poorly accessible to individual researchers. Based on a multi-stage Delphi process conducted by a multidisciplinary expert consortium as well as extensive community feedback, the present work provides the first reliable and comprehensive common point of access to information on pitfalls related to validation metrics in image analysis. Focusing on biomedical image analysis but with the potential of transfer to other fields, the addressed pitfalls generalize across application domains and are categorized according to a newly created, domain-agnostic taxonomy. To facilitate comprehension, illustrations and specific examples accompany each pitfall. As a structured body of information accessible to researchers of all levels of expertise, this work enhances global comprehension of a key topic in image analysis validation.