What is an ontology?
An ontology is a formal representation of knowledge or information about a particular domain. It is a structured way of organising and categorising information, concepts and relationships within a specific subject area. Ontologies are knowledge structures that include:
Entities (i.e., anything that exist in the universe)
Entity labels and definitions
Relationships between entities
What are ontologies and what can they be used for?
Mental Health Ontology (MHO) Aim:
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Develop an ontology of mental health to serve as a shared language to communicate about key constructs relating to mental health
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Apply the ontology to support data extraction, synthesise complex evidence and enable partial automation of the extraction and synthesis processes
Method To Develop The Ontology
Step 1
Specifying the scope of the Mental Health Ontology
Step 2
Identifying, labelling and defining entities needed for living systematic reviews
Step 3
Identifying and refining entities and their structure based on existing classification systems
Step 4
Iterative stakeholders reviews of the Mental Health Ontology
Step 5
Specifying the relationships between Mental Health Ontology entities
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Identifying and refining entities and their structure based on existing classification systems
Survey of “what exists” in classification systems
- • Identifying existing mental health classification systems, e.g., DSM V, RDoC, ICD and HiTOP, through:
- • Searches of the literature and specialist ontology databases
- • Expert recommendations, e.g., Mental Health Ontology Advisory Board
- • Drawing on entities in the Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology and other ontologies