MSc. Knowledge Acquisition

AIMS

To introduce the major themes of knowledge representation and knowledge acquisition methodologies and the problems and opportunities associated with their application in industrial and other contexts.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will be equipped:

  1. To use knowledge acquisition techniques in a range of IT contexts.
  2. To evaluate different knowledge elicitation and representation methods and apply them appropriately.
  3. To appreciate the main methodological and conceptual issues of knowledge acquisition.
  4. To understand the uses, scope and limitations of knowledge acquisition in commercial, industrial and public organisations.

SYLLABUS CONTENT

Lectures will cover knowledge modelling paradigms and their associated techniques, knowledge elicitation methods, the use of mediating and intermediate representations, validation of knowledge bases, and the role of knowledge acquisition in systems development.

  1. General
    Aims and objectives of knowledge elicitation and representation
    Knowledge Work
    Theoretical issues and problems in knowledge acquisition and representation
  2. Knowledge elicitation techniques
    Concept sorting and Repertory grid
  3. Modelling and representation techniques
    Systemic grammar networks
    Grounded theory
  4. Knowledge modelling concepts and techniques
    Competence theories and the knowledge level
    Ontologies,
    XML
  5. Knowledge modelling methodology
    KADS

LEARNING APPROACHES

Lectures will introduce the basic concepts. Tutorial sessions will be orientated towards applying the lecture content to practical problems and discussing the theoretical issues of knowledge acquisition for Intelligent Knowledge-based Systems and its nascent role in requirements determination. Students will be given an in-depth knowledge acquisition and representation exercise to complete during practical sessions.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dixon, N M, 2000, Common Knowledge: how companies thrive by sharing what they know. Harvard

K.M. Ford & J.M. Bradshaw, Knowledge Acquisition as Modelling, 1993, Wiley.

Hart, A., 1992 Knowledge Acquisition for Expert Systems. Kogan Page.

The Semantic Web Community Portal (http://www.semanticweb.org/)

Rob Stephens