UK-based developments in online thesauri for
taxonomic information
Copp, C., Grant, M., Hewzulla, D., Hussey, C., Robinson, J., van Breda, J. & White, R.
Why do we need a thesaurus?
Improve indexing Standardise query terms for better retrieval Links to synonyms and overlapping terms Expand or narrow queries Links to other information systems Potential to build knowledge-bases Potential to provide checklists for data entry
UK National Biodiversity NetworkThe Recorder ProjectBioCASE
Recorder 2002 - NBN Taxon & Biotope Dictionaries
Submit search terms
Master Thesaurus
On-lineThesauri
Static Lists
Maintained Lists
Published Standards
Agreements to copy terms & updates
Copy basicTerms
Check for and Add Terms
Copy terms
Check for term
Possible links by indexing or data access and reporting software to check for terms not in master thesaurus or get added value data
User Interface
Thesaurus Interface
Wrapper, API or copy of Master?
Other potential products derived from or using Thesaurus
Derive equivalent and related terms
Users
Sources Management Applications Use
Supply search terms
Partner Databases
Data access and reporting software
Indexing software
Central Metadatabase
The Role of the BioCASE Thesaurus
Term
Term Version Fact
Term Version Term Version Relation
Term inItem
List Item
Term Language
List Version
List List Type
Related ListItem
Hierarchy
Term Type
List Item Fact
Table includes broader term & narrower term relations
Table includes Synonyms, common language forms and preferred status
Related terms in other lists List Item in
List Version
Edit Session
Linked to all tables
Term Word Single word index of terms in Term Table
Associates terms with different versions of lists
Basic logical model
The BioCASE Thesaurus
The BioCASE Thesaurus API
DBMS
DB Manager
Thesaurus Broker
Thesaurus Server
Thesaurus
Client Application
RMI (HTTP tunnel)
JDBC
List Importers
Term
Lists
Thesaurus
Thesaurus Tools
Thesaurus editing tools
Term
Term Version Fact
Term VersionTerm Version Relation
Term Version in Concept
Concept(List Item)
Term Language
Concept Group Version
Concept Group(List)
Concept Domain(List Type)
Related Concept
Hierarchy
Term Type
Concept Fact
Tables include broader term & narrower term relations
Table includes Synonyms, common language forms and preferred status
Related terms in other lists
Concept in Concept Group Version
Concept Code
Word in Term Single word index of terms in Term Table
Associates terms with different versions of lists
Table holds level terms for specific hierarchies
Tables include broader term & narrower term relations
Codes might be used for alphanumeric sorting
A term type maybe linked to one or more hierarchy schemes
Every term has at least one version
Every list has at least one version
Word
A Modified logical model
Principles
Terms fall into various ‘domains’ Within domains there can be many different lists Lists may exist in several versions and some are dynamic (always changing) Lists may be in various languages and may use a wide range of diacritic and other characters There is no single correct list of terms Terms frequently have synonyms, variants and language versions both in and between lists. Terms commonly fall into hierarchies but may also be arranged in more complex ways (networks, ancestor & descendant trees etc.) Terms can be related to terms in other domains
Term
Term_Key
Language_KeyItem_NameAuthority
Concept
Concept_Key
Term_KeyConcept_Group_KeyMeaning_IDVersion_Is_CurrentPreferredInternational_StandardConcept_Rank_Key
Meaning_Relation
Meaning_Relation_KeyRelation_Type_Key
Meaning_ID1Meaning_ID2Comment
Concept_Group
Concept_Group_Key
Domain_Version_KeyItem_NameCommentPriority
Concept_Group_Version
Concept_Group_KeyVersion
Date_FromComment
Domain
Domain_Key
Item_NameSecurity_Group_KeySubject_Area_KeyComment
Domain_Version
Domain_Version_Key
Domain_KeyLanguage_KeyGeographic_Context
Language
Language_Key
Item_NamePriority
Meaning_Fact
Meaning_Fact_Key
DataMeaning_KeyLanguage_KeyConcept_Key
Concept_Status
Concept_Status_Key
Concept_Status_Type_KeyConcept_Key
Concept_Status_Type
Concept_Status_Type_Key
Short_NameLong_NameDescription
Concept_History
Concept_History_Key
Concept_KeyConcept_Group_Version_FromConcept_Group_Version_To
Security_Group
Security_Group_Key
Item_NameSecurity_Bit
Relation_Type
Relation_Type_Key
Item_Name_ForwardItem_Name_ReverseUnidirectionalForward_SynonymyReverse_Synonymy
Concept_Relation
Relation_Type_Key
Concept_Key1Concept_Key2Comment
Concept_Lineage
Concept_KeyParent_Concept_Key
Lineage
Concept_Rank
Concept_Rank_Key
Item_NameInternational_Standard_Italic
Domain Descriptors
Domain_KeyConcept_Key
Subject_Area
Subject_Area_Key
Item_NameComment
The logical model can be expressed in many waysWe may change the physical model as we learn more or for performance reasons. We use an API (Application Programming Interface) to shield users from underlying complexity and change.
‘The BioCASE/Luxembourg Model’
Recorder 6 & Collection Manager
The New Recorder Thesaurus Browser
The Thesaurus Editor