On the Ontological Quality and Logical Quality of Conceptual-Modeling Grammars: The Need for a Dual Perspective

Author List: Clarke, Roger; Burton-Jones, Andrew; Weber, Ron;
Information Systems Research, 2016, Volume 27, Issue 2, Page 365-382.
A core activity in information systems development involves building a conceptual model of the domain that an information system is intended to support. Such models are created using a conceptual-modeling (CM) grammar. Just as high-quality conceptual models facilitate high-quality systems development, high-quality CM grammars facilitate high-quality CM. This paper provides a new perspective on ways to improve the quality of the semantics of CM grammars. For many years, the leading approach to this topic has relied on ontological theory. We show, however, that the ontological approach captures only half the story; it needs to be coupled with a logical approach. We explain how the ontological and logical qualities of CM grammars interrelate. Furthermore, we outline three contributions of a logical approach to evaluating the quality of CM grammars: a means of seeing some familiar CM problems in simpler ways, illumination of new problems, and proving the benefit of modifying existing CM grammars in particular ways. We demonstrate these benefits in the context of the Entity-Relationship grammar. More generally, our paper opens a new area of research with many opportunities for future research and practice.
Keywords: conceptual modeling ; semantics ; ontology ; logic
Algorithm:

List of Topics

#138 0.232 use question opportunities particular identify information grammars researchers shown conceptual ontological given facilitate new little constraints dual answer post-adoption theory
#184 0.128 modeling models model business research paradigm components using representation extension logical set existing way aspects issues current integrated languages traditional
#222 0.127 research researchers framework future information systems important present agenda identify areas provide understanding contributions using literature studies paper potential review
#44 0.126 approach analysis application approaches new used paper methodology simulation traditional techniques systems process based using proposed method present provides various
#115 0.087 quality different servqual service high-quality difference used quantity importance use measure framework impact assurance better include means van dimensions assessing
#110 0.086 theory theories theoretical paper new understanding work practical explain empirical contribution phenomenon literature second implications different building based insights need
#216 0.081 conceptual model modeling object-oriented domain models entities representation understanding diagrams schema semantic attributes represented representing object relationships concepts classes entity-relationship