Agreeing to disagree: reconciling conflicting taxonomic views using a logic-based approach
Author(s)
Cheng, Yi-Yun
Franz, Nico
Schneider, Jodi
Yu, Shizhuo
Rodenhausen, Thomas
Ludäscher, Bertram
Issue Date
2017
Keyword(s)
Taxonomy alignment
RCC-5
semantic interoperability
Abstract
Taxonomy alignment is a way to integrate two or more taxonomies. Semantic interoperability between datasets, information systems, and knowledge bases is facilitated by combining the different input taxonomies into merged taxonomies that reconcile apparent differences or conflicts. We show how alignment problems can be solved with a logic-based region connection calculus (RCC-5) approach, using five base relations to compare concepts: congruence, inclusion, inverse inclusion, overlap, and disjointness. To illustrate this method, we use different “geo-taxonomies”, which organize the United States into several, apparently conflicting, geospatial hierarchies. For example, we align T(CEN), a taxonomy derived from the Census Bureau’s regions map, with T(NDC), from the National Diversity Council (NDC), and with T(TZ), a taxonomy capturing the U.S. time zones. Using these case studies, we show how this logic-based approach can reconcile conflicts between taxonomies. We have implemented these case studies with an open source tool called Euler/X which has been applied primarily for solving complex alignment problems in biological classification. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility and broad applicability of this approach to other domains and alignment problems in support of semantic interoperability.
Publisher
The Association for Information Science and Technology
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
