Pattern-based design applied to cultural heritage knowledge graphs

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how to apply an ODP- and test-driven methodology to develop and validate a cultural heritage knowledge graph, ArCo, including a new web tool for unit-testing and methodological insights.

Contribution

It adapts the eXtreme Design methodology for cultural heritage knowledge graphs, introduces a web tool for testing, and provides a comprehensive case study of ArCo development.

Findings

Successful application of XD methodology to ArCo

Introduction of a web tool for knowledge graph testing

Insights into methodological challenges and solutions

Abstract

Ontology Design Patterns (ODPs) have become an established and recognised practice for guaranteeing good quality ontology engineering. There are several ODP repositories where ODPs are shared as well as ontology design methodologies recommending their reuse. Performing rigorous testing is recommended as well for supporting ontology maintenance and validating the resulting resource against its motivating requirements. Nevertheless, it is less than straightforward to find guidelines on how to apply such methodologies for developing domain-specific knowledge graphs. ArCo is the knowledge graph of Italian Cultural Heritage and has been developed by using eXtreme Design (XD), an ODP- and test-driven methodology. During its development, XD has been adapted to the need of the CH domain e.g. gathering requirements from an open, diverse community of consumers, a new ODP has been defined and many have been specialised to address specific CH requirements. This paper presents ArCo and describes how to apply XD to the development and validation of a CH knowledge graph, also detailing the (intellectual) process implemented for matching the encountered modelling problems to ODPs. Relevant contributions also include a novel web tool for supporting unit-testing of knowledge graphs, a rigorous evaluation of ArCo, and a discussion of methodological lessons learned during ArCo development.