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.