Ontology-based verification of core model conformity in conceptual modeling

Abstract

Reference models, often called core models are developed in various application domains. Until now, no computational support exists for the task of verifying the conformity between such core models and their domain models. The approach developed at Bamberg University uses Semantic Web technologies to examine whether or not a domain model is a derivation of a core model. This ontology-based conformity verification supports an iterative modeling process in which core or domain models are modified. Inference services as provided by ontologies can be used to analyze the relationships between core and domain models. For example, it is possible to formally prove which specific relations hold between two types of models and compare the result with the intentions of the domain experts involved in the modeling. As a consequence, knowledge not explicitly represented is revealed. In case that the domain model does not conform to the core model, an interpretation of the inference results is provided in ordinary language giving the domain experts hints on how to modify either the core model, the domain model or both. We evaluated our approach by applying it to a core model and a domain, hence national model from the cadastral domain. Conformity was verified between the core cadastral model proposed by [Lemmen, C., van der Molen, P., van Oosterom, P., Ploeger, H., Quak, W., Stoter, J., et al. (2003). A modular standard for the cadastral domain. In Proceedings of digital earth 2003: Information resources for global sustainability: knowledge, networks, technology, economy, society, natural and human resources, policy and strategy. Brno, Czech Republic, pp. 108–117] and the Greek cadastral model [Tzani, A. (2003). Object-oriented modeling of the Greek Cadastre. Master’s thesis, School of Rural and Surveying Engineering of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki], which both are results of research activities related to the European COST Action G9 “Modeling Real Property Transactions”. Although our approach to conformity verification was only evaluated with the cadastral models, it can be used for conformity verification in various applications domains due to its generality.