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.