Validating domain ontologies: A methodology exemplified for concept maps

Ontologies play an important role as knowledge domain representations in technology-enhanced learning and instruction. Represented in form of concept maps they are commonly used as teaching and learning material and have the potential to enhance positive educational outcomes. To ensure the effective...

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Main Authors: Christina M. Steiner, Dietrich Albert
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2017-01-01
Series:Cogent Education
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2016.1263006
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author Christina M. Steiner
Dietrich Albert
author_facet Christina M. Steiner
Dietrich Albert
author_sort Christina M. Steiner
collection DOAJ
description Ontologies play an important role as knowledge domain representations in technology-enhanced learning and instruction. Represented in form of concept maps they are commonly used as teaching and learning material and have the potential to enhance positive educational outcomes. To ensure the effective use of an ontology representing a knowledge domain it needs to be validated. In this paper a previously presented validation methodology for concept maps is exemplified. Two different types of concept map validity are distinguished, referring to the correctness of the concept map’s content (content validity) and to the applicability of the concept map for its designated purpose (application validity), like its use in intelligent tutoring. To demonstrate the usefulness of the two validation types and approaches, they are illustrated by an empirical study. The content validity of a concept map on elementary geometry has been investigated by comparing it with empirically collected criterion maps through similarity measures. To demonstrate application validity an approach utilising methods of Knowledge Space Theory for predicting problem-solving behaviour has been applied. The obtained results show appropriate content validity as well as application validity for the given concept map and argue for the practical relevance of the proposed validation framework.
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spelling doaj.art-4369094d39134033975bcfcfd3c295972023-08-02T00:50:47ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Education2331-186X2017-01-014110.1080/2331186X.2016.12630061263006Validating domain ontologies: A methodology exemplified for concept mapsChristina M. Steiner0Dietrich Albert1Graz University of TechnologyGraz University of TechnologyOntologies play an important role as knowledge domain representations in technology-enhanced learning and instruction. Represented in form of concept maps they are commonly used as teaching and learning material and have the potential to enhance positive educational outcomes. To ensure the effective use of an ontology representing a knowledge domain it needs to be validated. In this paper a previously presented validation methodology for concept maps is exemplified. Two different types of concept map validity are distinguished, referring to the correctness of the concept map’s content (content validity) and to the applicability of the concept map for its designated purpose (application validity), like its use in intelligent tutoring. To demonstrate the usefulness of the two validation types and approaches, they are illustrated by an empirical study. The content validity of a concept map on elementary geometry has been investigated by comparing it with empirically collected criterion maps through similarity measures. To demonstrate application validity an approach utilising methods of Knowledge Space Theory for predicting problem-solving behaviour has been applied. The obtained results show appropriate content validity as well as application validity for the given concept map and argue for the practical relevance of the proposed validation framework.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2016.1263006concept mapontologyevaluationvalidityknowledge space theory
spellingShingle Christina M. Steiner
Dietrich Albert
Validating domain ontologies: A methodology exemplified for concept maps
Cogent Education
concept map
ontology
evaluation
validity
knowledge space theory
title Validating domain ontologies: A methodology exemplified for concept maps
title_full Validating domain ontologies: A methodology exemplified for concept maps
title_fullStr Validating domain ontologies: A methodology exemplified for concept maps
title_full_unstemmed Validating domain ontologies: A methodology exemplified for concept maps
title_short Validating domain ontologies: A methodology exemplified for concept maps
title_sort validating domain ontologies a methodology exemplified for concept maps
topic concept map
ontology
evaluation
validity
knowledge space theory
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2016.1263006
work_keys_str_mv AT christinamsteiner validatingdomainontologiesamethodologyexemplifiedforconceptmaps
AT dietrichalbert validatingdomainontologiesamethodologyexemplifiedforconceptmaps