Efficient Multiclass Classification of Small Datasets Using a Novel Contrast Based Learning Approach

Introduction: Deep learning models often face challenges in achieving optimal accuracy when classifying multiclass datasets, particularly when the dataset size is limited. This study introduces Contrast Based Learning (CBL), a novel data augmentation technique designed to address data scarcity. Methods: CBL innovatively concatenates multiple image and contrast learning to generate enriched datasets that exhibit a higher diversity of complex features. By focusing on the contrasts between various images, this method enhances the model's ability to learn nuanced features, thereby improving generalization and reducing overfitting. Results: Unlike traditional data augmentation methods, which rely on basic transformations, CBL dynamically concatenates images from different classes, creating complex inputs that provide the model with a more comprehensive training dataset. Experimental results show that CBL significantly improves classification accuracy and outperforms state-of-the-art methods across multiple small-scale multiclass datasets. Conclusion: The findings highlight the robustness of CBL in addressing data limitations, demonstrating its potential to advance the classification performance of deep learning models.