Addressing the Retrieval Problem in Large Knowledge Bases

Research currently in progress at the University of Bielefeld is concerned with conceptualizing a methodological framework which allows large-scale knowledge bases to be constructed, utilized and maintained in a modular fashion. Challenges to be met span from the modular conception of domain knowledge in a given application area on the one hand to the adaption of principles for modular system development to knowledgebased systems on the other. Important aspects of this work are to make expert system knowledge bases more easily comprehensible and maintainable, in particular, when several developers are involved or when long-term maintenance of a knowledge base is planned to be carried out by prospective users.