Representing things and properties in conceptual modeling: understanding the impact of task type

Graeme Shanks, Daniel Tobin, Jasmina Nuredini, Ron Weber

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The representation of things and properties is a fundamental issue in conceptual modeling. The proponents of different modeling approaches, for example entity relationship modeling and object-role modeling, offer very different advice about the distinction between things and properties and their representation. We use ontological theory to provide guidelines about how things and properties should be represented. Previous experimental work has provided evidence to support the use of ontologically sound representations of things and properties in conceptual modeling. However the results also indicate that the type of task undertaken (for example comprehension, problem solving, discrepancy checking, and decomposition) may also impact the use of conceptual models. In this paper, a research project is proposed to examine the sorts of tasks that are best supported by distinguishing between things and properties in conceptual modeling.

Original languageEnglish
Pages909-913
Number of pages5
Publication statusPublished - 2003
EventInternational Conference on Information Systems 2003 - Seattle, United States of America
Duration: 14 Dec 200317 Dec 2003
Conference number: 24th
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2003/ (Proceedings)

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Information Systems 2003
Abbreviated titleICIS 2003
Country/TerritoryUnited States of America
CitySeattle
Period14/12/0317/12/03
Internet address

Keywords

  • attribute
  • Conceptual modeling
  • entity
  • entity-relationship model
  • information systems development
  • normalization
  • object
  • ontology
  • property
  • thing

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