Ontology-driven semantic enrichment framework for maximal creation of open data value (the case of Botswana national performance indicators)

Abstract

This research adopts a pragmatic paradigm in addressing the gap of reviewed semantic enrichment frameworks that lack mechanisms to assess the degree of semantic value added1 to flat text resources in terms of knowledge (semantic context) and semantic capabilities (semantic structure). Currently, due to this knowledge gap, it is difficult to drive the semantic value creation process toward specific enrichment output and to evaluate the output as well. This is what this research refers to as, the semantic valuation challenge. To address the semantic valuation challenge, the research proposes the semantic value creation framework with mechanism for semantic valuation, the Ontology-Driven Semantic Enrichment Framework (ODSE Framework). The framework development adapted the Design Science Research Methodology for Information Systems. The framework leverages Linked Data principles in the conversion of flat text resources to knowledge resources2. It further augments this basic semantic value creation process with qualitative semantic valuation models to be applied to the semantic enrichment added layers (syntax and semantic layers) for semantic value assessment, specifically, assessment of the degree of knowledge creation potential and usability effectiveness of a given knowledge resource on the basis of semantic attributes. The semantic valuation models are also to aid semantic enrichment decision making for Open Data3 (OD) publishers and consumers with the need for richer formats on applicable semantic enrichment approach to adopt for specific knowledge resource output target. The demonstration of the framework was conducted to determine the semantic enrichment approach with potential to maximal semantic value-adding potential for more knowledge creation and usability effectiveness. Though the framework demonstration was specific to the Botswana development agenda domain, the final ODSE framework has been redesigned for reusability in any semantic value creation implementation for all types of flat text data transformations to semantic formats. Also, the ODSE Framework implementation support tools are complementary to any semantic enrichment framework implementation in any application domain.