Ontology Reuse - Experiences from Ontology Design Pattern Selection and Integration

While the main purpose of Ontology Design Patterns (ODPs) is to support the process of ontology engineering, they can also be used to improve existing ontologies. This paper has a focus on ODP selection and integration for ontology improvement. Based on the case of the ExpertFinder ontology, which allows for competency description of researchers, selection and integration of ODP is investigated with an explorative view. The current state of ODP selection strategies is discussed and problems arising during integration of ODP are shown. On this base, suggestions for improvements are made. Although this study deals with the integration into an existing ontology, most of the assumptions and suggestions are also valid for the general case of ODP usage.