KR Meeting Jan 06 Notes

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Observation Ontology

What is the scope of the ontology?

• Trying to define the information/concepts needed to combine or determine the differences/similarities between two datasets

What are the uses?

• Consistency checking
• Data annotation
• Data integration

Definitions

• Observation: An assertion of a characteristic (trait) of some thing (entity).

• Entity: Something that has one or more characteristics (traits).

• Trait: The occurrence of a characteristic of an entity. In the context of the observation ontology, a trait denotes the feature that is being measured or recorded. A trait emerges as the result of a comparison with a comparable standard. is a quantifiable expression of an entity. A trait is measured by comparison with an existing standard.

• Measurement:

• Unit: A unit of measure is a constant quantity that serves as a standard of measurement for some dimension

The observation sub-model is a taxonomy of entities (things) that can be observed (e.g., objects, spaces, times), and the specific traits of these entities that recorded (e.g., height, weight, color). In terms of data set integration, the observation sub-model tells us if we are talking about hte same (or similar enough) thing.

• ObservationAbstraction: (Perhaps better named 'Measurement') ...

Tasks:

• Definitions of classes and properties in ObsOnt
• Development of Ecological Entity Ontology
• focus on DOLCE, over SUMO -- DOLCE has clearer formal approach
• Carefully look at SWEET so that can say why we didn't use it (if we don't)
• Look at Ontology (by B. Smith)
• Development of Ecological Trait Ontology
• Development of Units Ontology
• Development of Value Type Ontology