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An Approach to Formalizing Ontology Driven Semantic Integration: Concepts, Dimensions and Framework Wenlong Gao

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An Approach to Formalizing Ontology Driven Semantic Integration: Concepts, Dimensions and Framework Wenlong Gao Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2012 An Approach to Formalizing Ontology Driven Semantic Integration: Concepts, Dimensions and Framework Wenlong Gao Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION AN APPROACH TO FORMALIZING ONTOLOGY DRIVEN SEMANTIC INTEGRATION: CONCEPTS, DIMENSIONS AND FRAMEWORK By WENLONG GAO A Dissertation submitted to the School of Library and Information Studies In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2012 Wenlong Gao defended this dissertation on December 9, 2011 The members of the supervisory committee were: Corinne Jörgensen Professor Directing Dissertation Daniel Schwartz University Representative Ian Douglas Committee Member Besiki Stvilia Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members and certifies that the dissertation has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii For my parents, I could not have done this without you. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation could not have been completed without the tremendous support and help of my dissertation committee, friends and family. First, I would like to thank Dr. Corinne Jörgensen, my dissertation chair and mentor. You supported me through this entire process, and encouraged me whenever I encountered challenges. I will always appreciate the trust and confidence you placed in me. It has been an honor and privilege to be your doctoral student. Second, I am thankful for other committee members, Dr. Ian Douglas, Dr. Besiki Stvilia, Dr. Daniel Schwartz, who inspired me not only throughout the dissertation development but also though my personal academic development. Your thoughtful guidance and insightful reasoning helped me explore this amazing area and opened the doors to many brilliant ideas to improve my work. Furthermore, I am grateful to all friends, staff and faculties of School of Library and Information Studies who ever helped during my study at FSU. I had a wonderful time here and worked with the most diligent and creative people in the past years. Their sincerity, assistance and encouragement would be the invaluable memory of my life. Finally I would like to thank my father and my mother who always support me with their unconditioned and unlimited love. They guided me through all of ups and downs in my life. These past years have not been easy, and I would not have succeeded in this endeavor without such a remarkable family by my side. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... ix ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Research Questions and Objectives ..................................................................... 4 1.3 Outline of Dissertation ........................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 2 ANALYSIS OF SEMANTIC HETEROGENEITY ......................................... 7 2.1 The Levels of Heterogeneity ................................................................................. 7 2.2 Different Semantic Levels ................................................................................... 12 CHAPTER 3 THE RELATIONSHIP OF DATABASE AND ONTOLOGY DRIVEN SEMANTIC INTEGRATIONS ......................................................................................... 15 3.1 Rule-based and Learning Based Schema Matching ........................................... 15 3.2 Other approaches of semantic integration in database research ....................... 18 3.3 The Evolution of Ontology ................................................................................... 19 3.3.1 Definition of Ontology ............................................................................... 20 3.3.2 The Relationship Between Taxonomy, Controlled Vocabulary and Ontology .................................................................................................................. 22 3.3.3 Methodologies for Ontology Development ................................................ 25 3.3.4 Upper Ontology and WordNet .................................................................. 33 v 3.4 Ontology in syntax and structure levels .............................................................. 36 3.4.1 The comparison of database schemas and ontologies ............................ 36 3.4.2 Mapping between the syntax and semantics ............................................ 38 3.4.3 The relationship of Ontology, Description Logic and the Semantic Web . 42 CHAPTER 4 ONTOLOGY DRIVEN INTEGRATION APPROACHES ........................... 49 4.1 Different Interpretations of Semantic Integration ................................................ 50 4.2 Different Ontology Implementations .................................................................... 52 4.2.1 Single Ontology Approach ........................................................................ 54 4.2.2 Multiple Ontology Approach ...................................................................... 57 4.2.3 Hybrid Ontology Approach ........................................................................ 58 4.3 Different Integration Approaches ........................................................................ 59 4.3.1 Relating Ontologies to Information Sources ............................................. 59 4.3.2 Inter-Ontology Mapping ............................................................................ 60 4.3.3 Linked Data Approach .............................................................................. 71 4.3.4 Various Matching Approaches .................................................................. 74 4.4 Various Evaluation Frameworks ......................................................................... 77 CHAPTER 5 DIMENSION CONSTRUCTION ............................................................... 85 5.1 Ontology Encoding Dimension ............................................................................ 85 5.2 Conceptual Dimension ........................................................................................ 91 5.3 Application Dimension ........................................................................................ 96 5.3.1 Query and Inference Language ................................................................ 96 5.3.2 Ontology Development Methodology ........................................................ 97 vi 5.3.3 Ontology Development Tools ................................................................... 98 5.3.4 Linked Data and Upper Ontologies ......................................................... 101 5.4 Evaluation Dimension ...................................................................................... 103 CHAPTER 6 FRAMEWORK CONSTRUCTION AND UTILIZATION ......................... 108 6.1 The Three Scales of The Framework .............................................................. 108 6.2 The Framework Utilization ............................................................................... 111 6.2.1 Decompose Ontology Encoding Dimension ........................................... 111 6.2.2 Decompose Conceptual Dimension ...................................................... 112 6.2.3 Decompose Application Dimension ........................................................ 114 6.2.4 Decompose Evaluation Dimension ......................................................... 119 6.4 In-depth Review of Operation Mechanism ........................................................ 124 6.5 Conclusion and Future Work ............................................................................ 135 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 139 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ........................................................................................... 158 vii LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Concepts Formalization .................................................................................... 95 Table 2: Summary of Ontology Driven Semantic Integration Systems (Part I) ............. 132 Table 3: Summary of Ontology-Driven Semantic Integration Systems (Part II) ........... 133 Table 4: Component Counts ........................................................................................ 134 viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Semantic Levels .............................................................................................. 13 Figure 2: Using OntoKick to Capture Competency Questions ....................................... 31 Figure 3: Mapping between syntax and Semantics ........................................................ 39 Figure 4: From Simple to Complex Semantics ............................................................... 40 Figure 5: More elaborate semantics ..............................................................................
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