Designing a Conceptual Model for Herbal Research Domain Using Ontology Technique

This paper demonstrates a conceptual model for herbal research domain using ontology technique. Important information in herbal research domain have been identified through interview sessions conducted on groups of herbs researchers in fields of engineering, medical and botany. The variation of information gathered led to the difficulty of database design. However, we propose a methodology for the development of conceptual model using ontology technique, with adoption of four extended relationship components. It covers relationships of temporal, prerequisite, mutually inclusive and mutually exclusive. In order to ensure the conceptual model is well defined, a set of rules for keyword searching is created to verify preciseness of output produced. The rules created in this paper will be executed on Herbal Research E-Centre prototype.