MSc Defence – Gabriela Henriques

The School of Computer Science is pleased to announce the following MSc Defence, Leveraging Knowledge Through Ontology Design, presented by MSc Candidate Gabriela Henriques.

The defence will take place August 20, 2014 in Reynolds 219 at 1:30 pm.

Title

Leveraging Knowledge Through Ontology Design

Abstract

One of the challenges with data analysis evolves around selecting the best analysis method for a data set that will provide appropriate and meaningful results. This thesis presents an ontology-based framework to address challenges around selecting an analysis method that can best represent a data set and the information you want to get out of it. Two ontologies were developed, one to capture semantic and syntactic descriptions on a data source, and likewise one to capture the description of analysis methods. Ontologies were selected for their flexibility in providing a description between a set of concepts and relationships along with their ability to reason between these descriptions. In order to demonstrate the advantages of using ontologies within the framework, this thesis focuses on the analysis methods and challenges in the domain of syndromic surveillance concentrating on ontology design to leverage knowledge between domain and analysis experts. A command-line prototype of the framework was developed and tested through a set of use cases focusing on novice and expert user processes. A guideline for populating the data source ontology is also presented and validated through the population of different domain-specific data sets. The ontologies provide the framework with flexibility in allowing for reuse and domain adaptation.

Advisor: Deborah Stacey