Knowledge Organization Systems Research Articles

Conceptual models of the sociotechnical: Introduction to special issue

AbstractThis special issue of the “Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology” examines conceptual models as products of, and tools for, critical inquiry in Information Science (IS). The papers included in this issue present diverse perspectives on how conceptual models impact sociotechnical systems, spanning topics such as knowledge organization, representation, and information system design. Key themes include the intersection of model development with ethical considerations, the historical and future implications of conceptual modeling decisions, and the potential for conceptual models to address issues of power, representation, and justice in emerging technologies. This introduction situates the contributions within broader discussions of conceptual modeling in IS and highlights the field's unique approach to reflexive critique and sociotechnical analysis.

A generic framework for the semantic contextualization of indicators

Indicators are quantitative or qualitative measures used to gauge various aspects of society and assess change over time (such as monitoring the progress or effectiveness of a public policy). Ideally, indicators should be precisely defined and measured according to harmonized procedures that may not be feasible in practice, especially in domains such as health, where indicators are often derived from preexisting, heterogeneous datasets. Integrating such data has posed a persistent challenge, but semantic technologies offer advantages by enriching data in a relatively simple, linkable, and non-disruptive way. However, without harmonized frameworks, the difficulties associated with data integration are unlikely to be resolved. In this article, we propose a generic, domain-neutral indicator contextualization framework for structuring and linking distributed datasets with contextual metadata according to a standard model. The framework integrates the concepts of the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 11179 metadata registry standard with the common core ontologies (CCO) mid-level ontology suite, and incorporates other semantic technologies to make it adaptable and interoperable within and across domains. Application of the framework to an example indicator illustrates the versatility and adaptability of the approach in a federated data architecture. The contextual information can be dereferenced using standard query tools to provide data users a comprehensive understanding and overview of the indicator. The framework is amenable to deep learning applications via the principles of semantic data models, linked open data, and knowledge organization systems. The ideas are presented to stimulate further reflection and consolidation of standard data contextualization frameworks.

Book cluster: a new approach to explore the evolution of knowledge organization in ancient China

Abstract Chinese ancient book catalogs have persisted for over two millennia, serving as ancient knowledge organization systems and cultural heritage of great academic value. This article introduces the concept of “book cluster,” a novel approach to studying catalog classification evolution, offering a meso-level perspective that bridges books and categories. Drawing from computational methods, we identify clusters of books with similar categorization trajectories, enabling more efficient and intuitive exploration of knowledge organization trends. We review existing research on catalog classification, highlighting the traditional qualitative analysis and emerging computational methods. We then present our data source and processing methods. The concept of book cluster is defined, along with the algorithm for cluster identification and feature extraction. A case study demonstrates the potential of the book cluster concept in analyzing classification changes and knowledge inheritance. Additionally, we introduce an online analytical platform for further exploration. Through computational analysis of book clusters, we gain insights into the evolution of ancient book recording, circulation, and academic contexts. Book clusters offer clues about the content of lost books. This research lays the groundwork for future iterations. By pioneering the study of knowledge organization evolution using book clusters, we enhance our understanding of Chinese history's academic culture and knowledge preservation.

Gender and sexuality in knowledge organization systems

This article addresses the terms and concepts in knowledge organization systems related to individuals and social groups with sexual and gender identities that do not conform to cis-heteronormativity. Preliminary insights suggest that these concepts are not represented adequately in knowledge organization systems. Although advancements in gender and sexuality studies have occurred, these systems have not developed accordingly and as a result, hinder the recognition of the diverse range of sexual and gender identities thereby risking the perpetuation of prejudiced and discriminatory discourses about the respective individuals and groups. This exploratory qualitative study investigates terms and concepts reflecting terminological, social, and rights advancements relating to sexual and gender-diverse individuals. A bibliographic search was conducted in books, scientific articles, guides, and manuals addressing these advancements to support the construction of a conceptual map representation of the concepts. The study systematically structured representations hierarchically, beginning with overarching concepts and gradually delving into more specific ones. This approach was guided by a comprehensive understanding of the domain under analysis, ensuring clarity and accessibility for the reader. The organization of knowledge needs to incorporate gender and sexuality in the construction of knowledge organization systems so that diversity is adequately represented in these systems.

Knowledge Organization Systems and Provenance: Experiences and Challenges

ABSTRACTThis panel is situated at the intersections of Knowledge Organization Systems (KOS) and provenance research. In this panel, we will share experiences and challenges in documenting the changes of a KOS The panelists will provide real‐world examples drawn from their research and practice. These examples range from KOSs used in LIS, such as the Dewey Decimal Classifications, Homosaurus, and Library of Congress Subject Headings; to extended information science research fields, such as digital preservation metadata standards, biodiversity taxonomies, and ontologies. Currently, the models and practices for documenting changes in KOSs fall short in supporting even simple provenance queries like “who made the change?”“what are the reasons for the change?”or“when was the change made?” The panelists will collectively discuss examples of queries we have faced, as well as the implications for provenance for KOS research and practice.This panel is sponsored by Classification & Metadata Research Special Interest Group (SIG‐CMR).

Development of ICH Knowledge Organization System for Ontology-Based Approach

Development of ICH Knowledge Organization System for Ontology-Based Approach

A conceptual model for tracking the provenance of activities in knowledge organization systems

A conceptual model for tracking the provenance of activities in knowledge organization systems

A quantitative study of vocabulary categorization and reuse in the LIS field linked data

PurposeExploring diverse knowledge organization systems and metadata schemes in linked data, aiming to promote vocabulary usability and high-quality linked data creation within the LIS field.Design/methodology/approachWe used content analysis to select 77 articles from 13 library and information science journals around our research theme. We identified four dimensions: vocabularies participation, reuse, functions, and naming variations in linked data.FindingsThe vocabulary comprises seven main categories and their corresponding 126 vocabularies, which participate in linked data in single, two, and multiple dimensions. These vocabularies are used in the eight LIS subfields. Reusing vocabularies has become integral to linked data publishing, with six categories and their corresponding 66 vocabularies being reused. Ontologies are the most engaged and widely reused category of vocabulary in linked data practice. The mutual support among the three major categories and seven subfunctions of vocabulary promotes the sustainable development of linked data. Under a combination of factors, the phenomenon of terminology name changes and cross-usage between “vocabulary” and “ontology.”Research limitations/implicationsThis study has limitations. Although 77 articles on the topic of vocabularies applied in linked data were analyzed and presented with quantitative statistics and visualizations, the exploration of the topic tends to be a practical activity, with limited presence in scholarly articles. Moreover, this study’s analysis of the practical applications of linked data is relatively limited, and the sample literature focused on articles published in English, which may have affected the diversity and inclusiveness of the research sample.Practical implicationsPractically, this study does not confine the application of content analysis solely to the traditional exploration of knowledge organization topics, development trends, or course content. Instead, it integrates the dual perspectives of linked data and vocabularies, employing content analysis to analyze and objectively reveal the application issues of vocabularies in linked data. The conclusions can provide specific guidelines for future applications of vocabularies in the LIS subfields and contribute to promoting interoperability of vocabularies.Social implicationsThis research explores the relationship between linked data and vocabularies, highlighting the diverse manifestations and challenges of vocabularies in linked data. It provides theoretical references for the construction and further development of vocabularies considering technologies such as linked data, drawing attention to the potential and existing issues associated with linked open data vocabularies.Originality/valueThis study extends the application of content analysis to exploring vocabularies, especially Knowledge Organization Systems and metadata schemes in the LIS field linked data, highlighting the mutually beneficial interactions between linked data and vocabularies. It provides guidance for future vocabularies applications in the LIS field and offers insights into vocabularies construction and the healthy development of linked data ecosystems in the era of information technology.

The reuse of electronic health records information models in the oncology domain: Studies with the bioframe framework

Objective:The reuse of Electronic Health Records (EHR) information models (e.g., templates and archetypes) may bring various benefits, including higher standardization, integration, interoperability, increased productivity in developing EHR systems, and unlock potential Artificial Intelligence applications built on top of medical records. The literature presents recent advances in standards for modeling EHR, in Knowledge Organization Systems (KOS) and EHR data reuse. However, methods, development processes, and frameworks to improve the reuse of EHR information models are still scarce. This study proposes a software engineering framework, named BioFrame, and analyzes how the reuse of EHR information models can be improved during the development of EHR systems. Methods:EHR standards and KOS, including ontologies, identified from systematic reviews were considered in developing the BioFrame framework. We used the structure of the OpenEHR to model templates and archetypes, as well as its relationship to international KOS used in the oncology domain. Our framework was applied in the context of pediatric oncology. Three data entry forms concerning nutrition and one utilized during the first pediatric oncology consultations were analyzed to measure the reuse of information models. Results:There was an increase in the adherence rate to international KOS of 18% to the original forms. There was an increase in the concepts reused in all 12 scenarios analyzed, with an average reuse of 6.55% in the original forms compared to 17.1% using BioFrame, resulting in significant differences. Conclusions:Our results point to higher reuse rates achieved due to an engineering process that provided greater adherence to EHR standards combined with semantic artifacts. This reveals the potential to develop new methods and frameworks aimed at EHR information model reuse. Additional research is needed to evaluate the impacts of the reuse of the EHR information model on interoperability, EHR data reuse, and data quality and assess the proposed framework in other health domains.

Development of Ancient Khmer Stone Castle Ontology

This research delves into the development of ontology, a crucial aspect of knowledge organization system studies. The primary goal is to establish a semantic search system tailored to the Khmer stone castles of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), specifically addressing the challenge of semantic gaps. This paper details a novel approach to developing ontologies for Khmer stone castles in the GMS to enhance our understanding of these countries' rich and ancient cultural heritage. A systematic four-step theoretical framework for ontology development was adopted, utilizing the Hozo Ontology Editor to create the ontologies by used the Wizard for documenting ontologies (WIDOCO) framework for web ontology platform. This methodology plays a key role in differentiating relevant from irrelevant data, thus significantly improving the efficiency of semantic searches. Central to this study is developing a comprehensive ontology encompassing ten primary classes: castle, location, country, Khmer art, art type, castle size, castle type, material, religion, and condition. This ontology is foundational for developing a semantic search system designed explicitly for the Khmer stone castles in the GMS. The insights from this research offer significant implications for advancing semantic search systems in cultural heritage, providing a robust framework for future studies in this field.

Research on the construction and mapping model of knowledge organization system driven by standards

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and enterprise digital transformation, the standardization organization, storage and management of semantic knowledge in computers have become the current research focus. As the core theory of knowledge system construction, knowledge organization (KO) provides theoretical support for the study of semantic knowledge organization and representation, among which knowledge organization system (KOS) is the important tool of semantic organization. At present, many scholars have carried out research from different perspectives of KOS based on theory, which provides the direction for the sustainable development of KOS. However, most of these studies focus on some aspects of KOS, which are in a "scattered" state, lacking systematic analysis of the basic principles of KOS construction and semantic organization based on theories and international standards. Therefore, this paper firstly constructs KOS theoretical models in the conceptual world and computer world respectively through a comprehensive study of multi-disciplinary basic theories such as semantics, logic, system theory, and international standards such as ISO 1087:2019, ISO 25964:2013, and ISO 11179:2023, and traces the iterative construction, organization and mapping process from "concept" in the conceptual world to "metadata" knowledge and semantics in the computer world. The semantic organization based on metadata is realized in computer. Secondly, on this basis, in order to realize ontology representation of domain knowledge, the ontology construction method based on MDR metadata is proposed. Finally, taking the semantic organization and ontology construction of Epicentre model in petroleum field as an example, the feasibility of the ideas and methods proposed in this paper is verified. The model and method proposed in this paper is independent of the specific type of KOS, so it is innovative and universal. The methodology is also applicable to other fields of conceptual system modeling, metadata standard construction, and data model modeling.

Converting and evolving a subject heading list into a thesaurus

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to describe the evolution of the available subject heading list, i.e. the CC Soggettario (Carabinieri Corps Soggettario), towards a thesaurus, that is CCThes (Carabinieri Corps Thesaurus), to support subject indexing and retrieval of the documentary heritage held by the Historical Office of the General Command of the Carabinieri Corps. This work follows the need to implement a controlled vocabulary compliant with the state-of-the-art standards.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology implements the practice of reengineering available vocabularies, following standardised guidelines for thesaurus development. The conversion process includes the balance maintenance of what has been achieved in the CC Soggettario and the enrichment of the semantic structure in the thesaurus by using both deductive and inductive methods.FindingsThe main result of this study is a thesaurus compliant with ISO 29964-1:2011 recommendations, which improves information retrieval performances and interoperability with other vocabularies and applications. It generally has a mono-hierarchical structure with the possibility of admitting, as an exception, the poly-hierarchy for a few concepts. An introductive user guide has been created as a complementary tool to the CCThes.Originality/valueThis is an applied study which deals with Knowledge Organisation System (KOS) reengineering and outlines this process using a pragmatic approach. The paper strength lies in providing the description of performed activities and conveying a set of resources to approach KOS reengineering practice. The study is also relevant for the preservation and diffusion of a part of the social memory and identity of Italy.

The experience of using AAT in the Museu de Arte Contemporânea do Rio Grande do Sul

This paper analyzes the experience of implementing the Tainacan digital repository at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rio Grande do Sul (MACRS), focusing on the use of the Getty Research Institute's Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT). The aim is to investigate the applicability of the AAT, a knowledge organization system developed in another country and language (American English), in a Brazilian contemporary art institution. The research adopts a qualitative and quantitative approach, using bibliographic and ocumentary techniques to examine the application of AAT as a controlled vocabulary for 3 meta data sets in the MACRS digital repository. The results show that the use of AAT in MACRS has both advantages and limitations. More than 87% of the terms used by the museum have equivalence in the AAT, indicating high compatibility between the vocabulary adopted by the museum and the international reference. However, the translation of terms into Portuguese (BR) and the inclusion of specific terms are still challenges to beovercome. The study concludes that adopting the AAT as a data value standard is feasible and can contribute significantly to the standardization and internationalization of museum practices in Brazil. It also highlights the importance of strategic partnerships for the translation and adaptation of additional AAT terms, as well as for the development of new knowledge organization systems that meet the specific demands of different types of museum collections.

Design and Implementation of an Ontology for Measurement Terminology in Digital Calibration Certificates.

Digital Calibration Certificates (DCCs) are a key focus in metrology digitalization, necessitating that they satisfy the criteria for machine readability and understandability. Current DCCs are machine-readable, but they are still missing the essential semantic information required for machine understandability. This shortfall is particularly notable in the lack of a dedicated semantic ontology for measurement terminologies. This paper proposes a domain ontology for measurement terminologies named the OMT (Ontology for Measurement Terminology), using a foundation of metrological terms from standards like the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM), the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM), and JJF1001. It also incorporates insights from models such as the SI Reference Point, the Simple Knowledge Organization System (SKOS), and the DCC Schema. The methodology was guided by Stanford's Seven-Step Method, ensuring a systematic development process tailored to the needs of metrological semantics. Through semantic expression capability verification and SPARQL query validations, the OMT has been confirmed to possess essential machine readability and understandability features. It has been successfully integrated into version 3.2.1 of DCCs across ten representative domains. This integration demonstrates an effective method for ensuring that DCCs are machine-readable and capable of interoperating within digital environments, thereby advancing the research in metrology digitization.

Assessing knowledge organization systems from a gender perspective: Wikipedia taxonomy and Wikidata ontologies

PurposeDevelop a comprehensive framework for assessing the knowledge organization systems (KOSs), including the taxonomy of Wikipedia and the ontologies of Wikidata, with a specific focus on enhancing management and retrieval with a gender nonbinary perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs heuristic and inspection methods to assess Wikipedia’s KOS, ensuring compliance with international standards. It evaluates the efficiency of retrieving non-masculine gender-related articles using the Catalan Wikipedian category scheme, identifying limitations. Additionally, a novel assessment of Wikidata ontologies examines their structure and coverage of gender-related properties, comparing them to Wikipedia’s taxonomy for advantages and enhancements.FindingsThis study evaluates Wikipedia’s taxonomy and Wikidata’s ontologies, establishing evaluation criteria for gender-based categorization and exploring their structural effectiveness. The evaluation process suggests that Wikidata ontologies may offer a viable solution to address Wikipedia’s categorization challenges.Originality/valueThe assessment of Wikipedia categories (taxonomy) based on KOS standards leads to the conclusion that there is ample room for improvement, not only in matters concerning gender identity but also in the overall KOS to enhance search and retrieval for users. These findings bear relevance for the design of tools to support information retrieval on knowledge-rich websites, as they assist users in exploring topics and concepts.

Improving the interoperability of drugs terminologies: Infusing local standardization with an international perspective

Objectives:The objective of this study is to describe how OCRx (Canadian Drug Ontology) has been built to address the dual need for local drug information integration in Canada and alignment with international standards requirements. Methods:This paper delves into (i) the implementation efforts to meet the Identification of Medicinal Product (IDMP) requirements in OCRx, alongside the ontology update strategy, (ii) the structure of the ontology itself, (iii) the alignment approach with several reference Knowledge Organization Systems, including SNOMED CT, RxNorm, and the list of “Code Identifiant de Spécialité” (CIS-Code), and (iv) the look-up services developed to facilitate its access and utilization. Results:Each OCRx release contains two distinct versions: the full and the up-to-date version. The full version encompasses all drugs with a DIN code sanctioned by Health Canada, while the up-to-date version is limited to drugs currently marketed in Canada. In the last release of OCRx, the full version comprises 162,400 classes; meanwhile, the up-to-date version consists of 36,909 classes. In terms of mappings with OCRx, substances in RxNorm and SNOMED CT fall below 40%, registering at 37% and 22% respectively. Meanwhile, mappings for CIS-Code achieve coverage of 61%. The strength mappings are notably low for RxNorm at 40% and for CIS-code at 28%. This affects the mapping of clinical drugs, which are predominantly alignable through post-coordinated expressions: 56% for RxNorm, 80% for SNOMED CT, and 35% for CIS-Code. The main support service of OCRx is a look-up service known as PaperRx that displays OCRx’s entities based on description logic queries (DL-queries) performed through the classified structure of OCRx. The look-up services also contain a SPARQL endpoint, an OCRx OWL file downloader, and a RESTful API. Discussion:The OCRx ontology demonstrates a significant effort towards integrating Canadian drug information with international standards. However, there are areas for improvement. In the future, our focus will be on refining the structure of OCRx for better classification capability and improvement of dosage conversion. Additionally, we aim to harness OCRx in constructing an ontology-based annotator, setting our sights on its deployment in real-world data integration scenarios.

Prejudice but no pride: The Portuguese Universal Decimal Classification’s labelling of sexual orientation

Critical cataloguing aims to study cases of social injustice, misrepresentation, negative biases, offensive terminologies, and hegemonic and oppressive hierarchical structures in the representation of communities and identities in knowledge organization systems. The aim of this study is to provide a critical analysis of the representation of sexual orientation in the Portuguese Universal Decimal Classification, grounded in a qualitative content analysis method. The results show that the principle of exhaustiveness does not manifest itself in the representation of sexual orientation. The absence of the term ‘heterosexuality’ mirrors the heteronormative hegemony, while the minoritization of ‘lesbianism’, but not of ‘male homosexuality’, reflects the patriarchal hegemony. The representation of sexual orientation carries the historical pathologization of sexual orientations other than heterosexuality. The Portuguese Universal Decimal Classification conveys negative biases and misrepresents sexual orientation in a way that is irreconcilable with present-day reality. Critical thinking must be encouraged within the library community and the Universal Decimal Classification should be promptly revised and updated.

Analysis of Two Thesauri Specializing in Women’s and Gender Studies

In developing and using knowledge organization systems (KOSs), it is important not to perpetuate historically privileged views that reproduce a representation and organization guided by a dominant logic. This study aimed to analyze terms in two thesauri specializing in women’s and gender studies used to represent the content of articles with the topics of women and gender. The research has a qualitative nature and used a descriptive methodological approach and bibliographic research procedures. It analyzed keywords from scientific articles of the Revista de Estudos Feministas-REF (Journal of Feminist Studies) and the corresponding terms in two thesauri: Tesauro para estudos de gênero e sobre mulheres (Thesaurus for studies on gender and women) and the Tesauro de género: lenguaje con equidad (Gender thesaurus: language with equity). The methodological approach is descriptive using bibliographical research procedures. The keywords analyzed were taken from scientific articles published in the ‘Articles’ section of the three volumes of the REF for the year 2022, available online. The limitation of the analysis period (2022) is justified as a sampling of keywords used to represent current themes on gender and women. Regarding the number of terms per article (one to three), the rationale was that they needed to have literary and usage warrants; moreover, limiting the terms allowed for adequate time quality for analysis and focusing on qualitative aspects through sample analysis. Significant incompatibilities were found between the keywords and the terms in the analyzed thesauri. It was concluded that for the representation and organization of knowledge to be relevant and legitimate, they must be aligned with the economic, political, and social context in which they are inserted. Thesauri, like all KOSs (systems of concepts), need their terms and semantic relationships to be continuously discussed and negotiated as a developmental step, in a spiral-like fashion. If updating is fundamental, the adoption of KOSs in scientific journals is also highly recommended for quality in the process of representation and retrieval of the scientific knowledge produced.

Knowledge Organization Systems in Reference Works Specialized in Knowledge Organization: A Study of Punctual Terminology

Knowledge Organization Systems in Reference Works Specialized in Knowledge Organization: A Study of Punctual Terminology

Domain Analysis Versus Facet Analysis

This paper delves into the complexities and theoretical underpinnings of knowl­edge organization systems (KOS), focusing on domain analysis and facet analysis as methodologies, such as improving the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). The study repeats a former critique of the LCSH and argues for the incorporation of facet and domain analysis to enhance its utility and academic rigor. Facet analysis, although well-established, is critiqued for its rationalist philosophy and lack of empirical grounding. Domain analysis is presented as a complementary approach that addresses these gaps by considering empirical, historical, philosophical, and pragmatic issues. To any given system, the paper emphasizes that KO systems are not neutral; they reflect underlying theoretical paradigms that must be understood for effective classification. The study concludes by advocating for interdisciplinary research and broader cooperation among knowl­edge organization professionals, philosophers, and subject specialists to develop more robust and academically rigorous KOS.