pilot set of SKOS based semantic web services

The STAR project has developed a pilot set of semantic web services,
based upon the SKOS Core data model for thesauri and related knowledge
organization systems. The services provide term look up in vocabularies
known to the system, browsing and semantic concept expansion. Details
can be found at
http://hypermedia.research.glam.ac.uk/kos/terminology_services/

 

The service is based on a subset of the SWAD Europe SKOS API with
extensions for concept expansion. The service currently consists of 7
function calls, which could be integrated into a textual or metadata
based search system. 

The services currently provide term look up across the thesauri held in
the system, along with browsing and semantic concept expansion within a
chosen thesaurus. This allows search to be augmented by SKOS-based
vocabulary and semantic resources (assuming the services are used in
conjunction with a search system).

Users may browse a concept space to explore and become familiar with
specialist terminology or as part of a broader application. A query is
often expressed at a different level of generalisation from document
content or metadata, or may employ a slightly different semantic
perspective. In combination with a search system, the services allow
queries to be expanded (automatically or interactively) by synonyms or
by expansion over the SKOS semantic relationships. Expansion is based on
a measure of 'semantic closeness'.

Anyone interested is welcome to inspect the API or download a client
demonstrator, which is currently configured to operate with a subset of
English Heritage thesauri. We're keen to receive any feedback or
suggestions. It's intended as an pilot demonstrator of core
functionality rather than any final user interface. It should install
and run automatically (after one or two initial questions).

 

A WSDL file and service description are available. The work is ongoing
and we welcome any feedback or interest in collaboration on developing
an API to support a rich range of SKOS use cases. 

 

Doug

 

 
Douglas Tudhope 
Professor, Faculty of Advanced Technology 
University of Glamorgan 
Pontypridd CF37 1DL 
Wales, UK 
Tel +44 (0) 1443-483609 
Fax +44 (0) 1443-482715 
dstudhope@glam.ac.uk 
http://hypermedia.research.glam.ac.uk/people/tudhope/
Editor : The New Review of Hypermedia and Multimedia