A New Method for the Semantic Integration of Multiple OWL Ontologies using Alignments

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel method for integrating multiple OWL ontologies into a single coherent ontology using alignments, emphasizing semantic consistency and introducing new quality criteria.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach for ontology integration with a bridge ontology, new quality criteria, and clarifies integration concepts, validated by the OIA2R tool.

Findings

OIA2R is effective and efficient

The method reduces semantic conflicts

Validated with OAEI benchmark data

Abstract

This work is done as part of a master's thesis project. The goal is to integrate two or more ontologies (of the same or close domains) in a new consistent and coherent OWL ontology to insure semantic interoperability between them. To do this, we have chosen to create a bridge ontology that includes all source ontologies and their bridging axioms in a customized way. In addition, we introduced a new criterion for obtaining an ontology of better quality (having the minimum of semantic/logical conflicts). We have also proposed new terminology and definitions that clarify the unclear and misplaced "integration" and "merging" notions that are randomly used in state-of-the-art works. Finally, we tested and evaluated our OIA2R tool using ontologies and reference alignments of the OAEI campaign. It turned out that it is generic, efficient and powerful enough.