Method and device for use in data processing, and medium

An apparatus for data processing, comprising:

• at least one processing unit;
• and
• at least one memory coupled to the at least one processing unit and storing instructions executable by the at least one processing unit, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processing unit, causing the apparatus to perform acts comprising:
• obtaining a set of observed samples related to a plurality of factors, an observed sample in the set of observed samples comprising respective observed values of the plurality of factors;
• determining a set of dependency relationships between the plurality of factors based on the set of observed samples, a dependency relationship in the set of dependency relationships indicating an interrelated factor pair among the plurality of factors;
• and
• determining a causality sequence of the plurality of factors based on the set of dependency relationships, the causality sequence indicating that one factor in the interrelated factor pair is a cause of the other factor in the interrelated factor pair,
• wherein the determining the set of dependency relationships comprises determining the set of dependency relationships by applying a conditional independent test to the plurality of factors,
• wherein the applying the conditional independent test to the plurality of factors comprises determining whether any two factors of the plurality of factors are independent of each other under a conditional set, the number of other factors of the plurality of factors in the conditional set being limited to 1.

A computer-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions stored thereon which, when being executed by a device, cause the device to perform a method comprising:

• obtaining a set of observed samples related to a plurality of factors, an observed sample in the set of observed samples comprising respective observed values of the plurality of factors;
• determining a set of dependency relationships between the plurality of factors based on the set of observed samples, a dependency relationship in the set of dependency relationships indicating an interrelated factor pair among the plurality of factors;
• and
• determining a causality sequence of the plurality of factors based on the set of dependency relationships, the causality sequence indicating that one factor in the interrelated factor pair is a cause of the other factor in the interrelated factor pair,
• wherein the determining the set of dependency relationships comprises determining the set of dependency relationships by applying a conditional independent test to the plurality of factors,
• wherein the applying the conditional independent test to the plurality of factors comprises determining whether any two factors of the plurality of factors are independent of each other under a conditional set, the number of other factors of the plurality of factors in the conditional set being limited to 1.