Spatio-temporal Ontology for defining the quality of an application

Abstract : Decision making in geographical information system is based on models of observed processes. Process models have their concepts and objects that could be different from those used during the data collection. This raises the question of fitness for use between the problem to be solved and the available data. Use of ontologies has resulted into a new approach to qualifying and quantifying fitness for use. So far, temporal aspects have been poorly integrated. The purpose of this paper is to provide a methodology for this purpose. We integrate: 1- quality elements described by ISO standards and 2- features ontology concerning a dynamic application. Integration is carried out by means of a matrix of quality. Satisfying each box of the matrix with a quality close to the required one, represents an approximation between the two ontologies. We apply this methodology to an application in coastal movement in the Netherlands, whereby beaches are subject to nourishment due to severe erosion. The quality of this application is described given the selected data.