Architecture

The knowledge architecture of CyberIR@MIT is designed to represent the properties of the system segments. Technically, the knowledge architecture is designed to:

  • Organize Knowledge and data related to each domain or issue-area into several substantive hierarchies and related categories and subcategories into several hierarchies of interrelated sub-concepts.
     
  • Define Each Sub-concept of domain hierarchies to belong to a category with at least one attribute and one sub-attribute.
     
  • Define the Connectivity of domain or issue categories to properties of dimensions among interrelated concepts and sub-concepts; and
     
  • Provide Mapping between the data related to each of the domain hierarchies, categories, sub-categories, sub-concepts, and computer systems storing data for user functionalities.

        Structure

In terms of structure, the design of a knowledge system is designed to consist of three different aggregate macro-segments, namely:

  • Domains of actors & actions
     
  • Dimensions of each domain
     
  • Intersections of domain & dimension

The knowledge architecture is applicable to a wide range of issues and problems characterized by uncertainty, complexity, and contextual diversity.

        Mapping

According to Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, to “map” is “to represent” … “to delineate” … “to assign to every element of a …set an element of the same or another set’’ and “to be located near the corresponding structural [element]."

Accordingly, “mapping,” is the process of providing order between a property within the knowledge system and a computer for user functionalities.

This is a way of representing knowledge content areas of interest. If full knowledge changes over time, its representation must also change over time.

Mapping supports:

  • Connecting substantive materials to the structure of hierarchies, defined as the key structures for each of the domains and dimensions,
     
  • Providing access for a plurality of entities to data within any of the sub-concepts stored in pluralities of remote locations in response to mapping specifications,
     
  • Facilitating access to data and information in hierarchies of interrelated sub-concepts on any computer system from any sub-concept according to defined principles, and
     
  • Expanding and modifying data consistent with the structured properties of the knowledge system.