Journal article
Representing part-whole relations in conceptual modeling: An empirical evaluation
G Shanks, E Tansley, J Nuredini, D Tobin, R Weber
MIS Quarterly Management Information Systems | Published : 2008
DOI: 10.2307/25148856
Abstract
The part-of construct is a fundamental element of many conceptual modeling grammars that is used to associate one thing (a component) with another thing (a composite). Sub-stantive theoretical issues surrounding the part-of construct remain to be resolved, however. For instance, contrary to widespread claims, some researchers now argue the relationship between components and composites is not always transitive. Moreover, how the part-of construct should be represented in a conceptual schema diagram remains a contentious issue. Some analysts argue composites should be represented as a relationship or association. Others argue they should be represented as an entity. In this paper we use an on..
View full abstractGrants
Funding Acknowledgements
An Australian Research Council Discovery Grant funded this research. We are indebted to participants in workshops at The University of Queensland. City University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and The University of Auckland for comments on previous versions of this paper. We also thank Daniel Moody, Steve Hitchman, Graeme Simsion. and Yair Wand for helpful comments on our research. An earlier, partial version of this paper was presented at the 23<SUP>rd</SUP> International Conference on Information Systems, Barcelona, December 15-18, 2002. We are indebted to attendees at our presentation for helpful comments. We thank the senior editor. associate editor. and three reviewers for helpful comments on our paper.