A procedural model for ontological analyses - Information Systems Foundations: Constructing and Criticising - page 155

methodology for improving the objectivity of the analysis as well as a weighting model
that aims to improve the classification of the results of any ontological analysis.
The remainder of the paper is structured as follows. The next section identifies eight
current shortcomings of ontological analyses that are classified with respect to the three
phases of analysis. The third section provides recommendations concerning how to
overcome the identified shortcomings in each of the three phases. The final section
provides a brief summary of the work and outlines possible future research in this area.
Shortcomings of current ontological analyses
An ontological analysis is, in principle, the evaluation of a selected modelling grammar
from the viewpoint of a pre-defined and well-established ontology. The current focus
of ontological analyses is on the bi-directional comparison of ontological constructs with
the elements of the modelling grammar that is under analysis. Weber (1997) clarifies
two major situations that may occur when a grammar is analysed according to an onto-
logy. After a particular grammar has been analysed, an assessment of the modelling
strengths and weaknesses of the grammar can be made according to whether some or
any of the following situations arise out of the analysis.
1. Ontological incompleteness (or construct deficit) exists unless there is at least one
grammatical construct for each ontological construct.
2. Ontological clarity is determined by the extent to which the grammar does not ex-
hibit one or more of the following deficiencies:
a. Construct overload exists in a grammar if one grammatical construct represents more
than one ontological construct.
b. Construct redundancy exists if more than one grammatical construct represents the
same ontological construct.
c. Construct excess exists in a grammar when a grammatical construct is present that
does not map to any ontological construct.
Though this type of ontological analysis is widely established, it still has a range of
shortcomings. These shortcomings can be categorised into the three main phases of an
ontological analysis: preparation of the input data, the process of conducting the analysis,
and the evaluation and interpretation of the results. The first two identified shortcomings
refer to the quality of the input data.
Lack of understandability
Most of the ontologies that are currently used for analysing modelling grammars have
been specified in formal languages. While such formalisation is beneficial for a complete
and precise specification of the ontology, it is not a very natural or intuitive specification.
An ontology that is not clear and intuitive can lead to misinterpretations as the involved
stakeholders have problems with the specifications. Furthermore, it forms a hurdle for
the application of the ontology as it requires a deep understanding of the formal language
in which it is specified.
Lack of comparability
The specification of an ontology typically requires a formal syntax, which allows the
precise specification of the elements and relationships of the ontology. Such specifications
are required, but are not necessarily intuitive. Consequently, textual descriptions of the
ontology in 'plain English' often extend the formal specification. However, even if an
ontology is specified in an intuitive and understandable language, the actual comparison