Mapcar: A framework to support the elaboration of the conceptual model of a knowledge-based system

Constructing a knowledge based system requires the identification of the conceptual primitives and problem-solving strategy that will permit capturing the expertise in an adapted way. This paper presents an approach to support the elaboration of such a conceptual model by data-abstraction. Our work is motivated by the objective of constructing models that correspond to how experts solve problems, which is required for some applications, as, for example, presenting problem-solving in an educational system. We argue that such an objective cannot be tackled by refining a predefined model. We propose to use a prototype reifying the model as a means for its study. We present methodological guides, and an operationalisation language that allows the putting into practice of the approach we propose. Examples from different applications illustrate the presentation.