An Ontology Definition Metamodel based Ripple-Effect Analysis Method for Ontology Evolution

Though the importance of ontology evolution is current recognized enough, for the sack of the complexity, most ontology evolution researches are still on the framework level or the quality analysis level. An ontology graph model derived from ontology definition metamodel (ODM) strictly, which creates ontology adjacency matrix and ontology reachability matrix, is described. Depending on matrix shift and calculation, ripple-effect of ontology evolution can be analyzed and its quantity can be ascertained. Each ripple-effect caused by ontology change operations is described. At the same time, approaches for calculating ontology element's contribution, ontology cohesions and effect degrees applied to ontology elements during ontology evolution, are provided. Ripple-effect analysis for dependency-unknown ontology evolution is discussed, and a service model for ontology evolution is also provided. All are credible foundation for management, control, usage and evaluation of ontology evolution, and are foundation for ontology evolution automation calculation in computer