A model and architecture for conceptualized data annotations
Gertz, M. and Sattler, K-U.
2001 Technical Report CSE-2001-11, Department of Computer Science, University of California, Davis
Gertz, M. and Sattler, K-U., (2001), "A model and architecture for conceptualized data annotations", Technical Report CSE-2001-11, Department of Computer Science, University of California, Davis.
Abstract:
In many collaborative research environments, in particular computational sciences, novel tools and techniques allow researchers to generate data from experiments and observations at a staggering rate. Researchers in these areas are now facing the strong need for querying, sharing and exchanging the data in a uniform and transparent fashion to further leverage their findings. However, due to the nature of the various types of heterogeneous data and lack of local and global database schema structures, standard data integration approaches fail or are not applicable.
A viable solution to this problem is the extensive use of metadata. In this paper, we present the model and realization of a metadata management systems suitable for such research environments. The core component of the model are conceptualized data annotations that allow researchers to associate well-defined, agreed upon metadata, called concepts, with possibly remote Web accessible data sources. Annotations provide rich linkage structures between domain specific conceptual structures and fine-grained document components, including text and image data. We detail how annotations are managed and used in different data retrieval scenarios in the context of an application in the Neurosciences. We also present the realization of a general architecture for the proposed metadata information systems and outlin e some of the services embedded in this system.
