Hierarchical knowledge oriented specification for information integration

We present a novel methodology for manipulating sources in a knowledge integration scenario. First we define and exploit an appropriate data model – Knowledge Oriented Specification – for representing and querying the data sources without having to align their background knowledge. Second we propose a structured knowledge representation formalism – Layered Conceptual Graphs – which present the data at different levels of detail. We explain how the two formalisms can be used together to provide a hierarchical approach to integration. In this way, the user – according to their interest in the integrated topic – will be presented with different views on the combined knowledge.