Knowledge Organization Systems

ontology metadata schema taxonomy classification Web directory structure filing plan thesaurus dictionary folksonomy authority file controlled vocabulary gazetteer faceted classification subject headings This article provides an overview of the many different types of Knowledge Organization Systems (KOS) – ontology, metadata schema, taxonomy, classification, Web directory structure, filing plan, thesaurus, dictionary, folksonomy, etc., explicates commonalities and differences, and provides a guide through the terminological wilderness. Section 1 introduces the many functions of KOS, the many benefits that can be derived from a KOS; this can be used as a rationale for investing into KOS development. Section 2 discusses the intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of KOS, resulting in a core metadata schema that allows for the precise description and analysis of a KOS and its features; at the same time this section provides a rudimentary introduction into the structure of KOS. Section 3 provides a typology of KOS and gives for each KOS type a short definition and a pointer to a an example, sometimes augmented by a brief excerpt that illustrates KOS structure. Bates ELIS Soergel KOS Overview