Abstract: The similarity between two data objects of the same type (e.g., two resumes, two job descriptions, etc.) is determined using predictive modeling. A basic assumption is that training datasets are available containing compatibility measures between objects of the first type and data objects of a second type, but that training datasets measuring similarity between objects of the first type are not. A first predictive model is trained to assess compatibility between data objects of a first type and data objects of a second type. Then, in one scenario, pairs of objects of the first type are compared for similarity by running them through the first predictive model as if one object of the pair is an object of the first type and the other object of the pair is an object of the second type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for making predictions about entities represented in documents and for information analysis of text documents or the like, from a large number of such documents. Predictive models are executed responsive to variables derived from canonical documents to determine documents containing desired attributes or characteristics. The canonical documents are derived from standardized documents, which, in turn, are derived from original documents.