CAREER: Theory of Distributed Ontologies and the Semantic Web

Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA

Investigators

Abstract

The main research objective of this proposal is to develop a formal theory of distributed ontologies for use on the Semantic Web. The theory defines the semantics of relationships that can exist between ontologies and those that can exist between ontologies and information resources. The theory will be developed in phases: a model theoretic semantics with different entailment relations for each point of view will be followed by a possible world semantics that unifies the various entailment relations. It will then be extended to allow for rich expressions of trust. Scalability, an important issue for the Semantic Web, will be a significant consideration in the design of the theory. Results from this project would impact other areas as well, for instance, communication between autonomous agents and distributed databases. The educational component of this project focuses on using the Semantic Web as a tool for education and for the training of semantic web practitioners and future researchers. Resources from the project will be used in a course and will be made available for use by other educators.