active sample collaborative prediction method , system and program storage device are provided . a method in one aspect may include determining approximation x for matrix y using collaborative prediction , said matrix y being sparse initially and representing pairwise measurement values ; selecting one or more unobserved entries from said matrix y representing active samples using said approximation x and an active sample heuristic ; obtaining values associated with said unobserved entries ; inserting said values to said matrix y ; and repeating the steps of determining , selecting , obtaining and inserting until a predetermined condition is satisfied .