Framing ontology distinctions: An exploration

Issue title: The role of ontologies in Linked Data, Big Data and Semantic Web applications

Guest editors: Kenneth Baclawski and Mike Bennett

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bennett, Mike

Affiliations: Hypercube Limited, 89 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2BF, UK. E-mail: mbennett@hypercube.co.uk

Note: [] Accepted by: Kenneth Baclawski

Abstract: This paper considers how to frame different kinds of ontology, in the broader concept of the different dimensions of models in general. A key motivating factor has been to cut across conversations about what may be called an “ontology”, by setting out the features and uses of different kinds of artifacts that are characterized as ontologies. As such this work aims to integrate various well-established perspectives on ontology development and usage, in such a way that practitioners in industry can work from this directly. This is further extended to consider the relationship between the different kinds of ontology and data. The framework described here is intended as the precursor to a more extensive methodology and is based on considerations of semiotics and ontological commitment. The goal is not to define new artifacts or perspectives, but to organize them and create a guideline for ontology development and re-use.

Keywords: Ontology, conceptual model, Zachman Framework, conceptual ontology, semiotics, Peirce

DOI: 10.3233/AO-170188

Journal: Applied Ontology, vol. 12, no. 3-4, pp. 223-243, 2017