Description

Ontologies form the semantic framework for knowledge graphs, but to serve the purpose of linking data, ontologies need to be based on taxonomies or other controlled vocabularies, whose concepts are linked to data and tagged to content. There has also been a trend of greater integration of taxonomies and ontologies: ontologies are being adopted for wider business use, and taxonomies have been included in the W3C standards with widespread adoption of SKOS (Simple Knowledge Organization System).

While taxonomies are easier to design and create than ontologies, too often they are created without any skill or training, and poorly designed taxonomies yield poor results. This tutorial will cover the basics and best practices in taxonomy design, including: types of controlled vocabularies, standards, sources for topical concepts, wording of labels, alternative labels, hierarchical and associative relationships, and governance. This tutorial also explains the approach of semantically enriching an existing taxonomy to become an ontology by adding a semantic layer of an ontology or custom scheme.

Key Topics

Outline:

• Introduction to taxonomies and ontologies: background, uses, purposes, and approaches
• Taxonomies and other types of controlled vocabularies: characteristics and comparisons
• Standards and models for controlled vocabularies: ANSI/NISO, ISO, SKOS
• Sources for concepts: manual content analysis, term extraction, user interviews, brainstorming
• Wording of labels: conventions and style

Target Audience

• Ontologists or knowledge engineers who are not experienced in creating taxonomies
• Those who have a basic understanding of taxonomies or ontologies, but would like to know more
• Managers of data, information, content, or knowledge

Goals

After the class, participants will be able to:

• Understand the diversity of knowledge organization systems and which are better suited for which situations
• Know what resources to use in developing a taxonomy
• Develop concepts and labels that best serve the users

Session outline:

• Introduction to taxonomies and ontologies: background, uses, purposes, and approaches
• Taxonomies and other types of controlled vocabularies: characteristics and comparisons
• Standards and models for controlled vocabularies: ANSI/NISO, ISO, SKOS
• Sources for concepts: manual content analysis, term extraction, user interviews, brainstorming
• Wording of labels: conventions and style

Format

Most of the class will be lecture, along with Q&A and discussion, but there will be interactive exercises, which in part 1 will include identifying the most suitable controlled vocabulary type and suggesting alternative labels.

Level

Beginner - Intermediate

Prerequisite Knowledge

Basic familiarity and understanding of ontologies and taxonomies, but prior experience creating them is not required.

You need an access pass to attend this session: Diversity Access Pass or Full Access Pass apply