Architectures for evaluating the quality of information models - A meta and an object level comparison

Abstract

The evaluation of information models is an outstanding research field in information systems engineering. From a theoretical oriented research viewpoint, it has to be questioned whether it is possible to evaluate artefacts with respect to philosophical and decision theory oriented aspects. Basing on the theoretical assumption that information modeling is a decision problem, this article deals with model evaluation approaches discussed in literature. Approaches will be compared not only on a meta level (ontological and epistemological assumptions) but also on an object level (evaluation of information models). The Frameworks of Moody/Shanks, Krogstie/Lindland/Sindre and the Guidelines of Modeling will be described and compared.