Semantic relations in knowledge organization systems

Abstract

Semantic relations in knowledge organization systems (KOS) are discussed as well as the need to analyze and systematize the contributions from different areas of knowledge that are devoted to semantic studies in order to collaborate in the definition of a theoretical framework for the study of types of relations included in KOS. Partial results of a survey reveal that, in general, standards and guidelines for developing thesauri are limited to defining and exemplifying types of relationships without guidance concerning the theoretical underpinning of these definitions. The possibilities of a compositional approach to defining the meaning of syntagmatic relations is discussed. Studies on the dieoretical foundations that guide the establishment of semantic relations and approaches to be adopted for the preparation of KOS certainly contribute to consolidating a dieoretical framework for the area of knowledge organization.