Design and construction of maintainable knowledge bases through effective use of entity-relationship modeling techniques

The use of an accepted logical database design tool, Entity-Relationship Diagrams (E-RD), is explored as a method by which conceptual and pseudo-conceptual knowledge bases may be designed. Extensions to Peter Chen\u27s classic E-RD method which can model knowledge structure used by knowledge-based applications are explored. The use of E-RDs to design knowledge bases is proposed as a two-stage process. In the first stage, and E-RD, termed the Essential E-RD, is developed of the realm of the problem or enterprise being modeled. The Essential E-RD is completely independent of any knowledge representation model (KRM) and is intended for the understanding of the underlying conceptual entities and relationships in the domain of interest. The second stage of the proposed design process consists of expanding the Essential E-RD. The resulting E-RD, termed the Implementation E-RD, is a network of E-RD-modeled KRM constructs and will provide a method by which the proper KRM may be chosen and the knowledge base may be maintained. In some cases, the constructs of the Implementation E-RD may be mapped directly to a physical knowledge base. Using the proposed design tool will aid in both the development of the knowledge base and its maintenance. The need for building maintainable knowledge bases and problems often encountered during knowledge base construction will be explored. A case study is presented in which this tool is used to design a knowledge base. Problems avoided by the use of this method are highlighted, as are advantages the method presents to the maintenance of the knowledge base. Finally, a critique of the ramifications of this research is presented, as well as needs for future research