Learn from preferences with explicit assumptions

Trace preference annotation, reward modeling, reference constraints, and optimization while separating learned judgments from guaranteed behavior.

10 published lessons1 module240 min of guided study
  1. 01
    Learn from preferences with explicit assumptionsresearch · 10 lessons

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Learn from preferences with explicit assumptions

Trace preference annotation, reward modeling, reference constraints, and optimization while separating learned judgments from guaranteed behavior.

  1. 01

    Define which comparisons can teach the intended behavior

    Build preference pairs with explicit prompt, candidate, rubric, and sampling identities while examining missing coverage and dependent observations.

    24 min
  2. 02

    Report agreement with its eligible population and uncertainty

    Distinguish observable label consistency from latent correctness, and preserve ties, abstentions, grouping, and population differences in noise analysis.

    24 min
  3. 03

    Fit comparison probabilities while keeping reward coordinates identifiable

    Derive logistic pair likelihoods, explain additive score ambiguity and comparison-graph limits, and separate a fitted ranking scale from universal utility.

    24 min
  4. 04

    Evaluate predicted judgments without declaring a utility meter

    Separate ordering accuracy, probabilistic calibration, population shift, and downstream usefulness when evaluating a learned reward model.

    24 min
  5. 05

    Derive a reference-constrained policy on an explicit support

    Analyze a finite-support KL-regularized objective, its normalization, and its limits without mistaking an average penalty for a hard behavioral guarantee.

    24 min
  6. 06

    Derive the reference-relative classification margin

    Connect the finite KL optimum to a Bradley–Terry likelihood, keeping prompt normalization, beta convention, and sequence log-probability semantics explicit.

    24 min
  7. 07

    Cache the exact reference probability question

    Bind precomputed completion scores to model, tokenizer, context, masks, and numerical policy so a fast reference path preserves the intended preference objective.

    24 min
  8. 08

    Control presentation and length without erasing real task differences

    Design paired display-order checks and explicit length analyses while separating observed nuisance effects from genuine quality and causal claims.

    24 min
  9. 09

    Look for proxy improvement that independent evidence does not support

    Track optimization pressure, distribution shift, and held-out judgments without treating a rising learned reward or a synthetic gold model as guaranteed quality.

    24 min
  10. 10

    Release a versioned behavior change with reviewable evidence

    Combine held-out preference results, task requirements, uncertainty, configuration identity, and a tested rollback target into a scoped release decision.

    24 min
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