Ontologies for e-Government
What is oeGOV?
oeGOV is making and publishing W3C OWL ontologies for eGovernment.
This initiative is born out of the idea: "Use small OWL ontologies to model recovery and deploy across all government" posted at
TheNationalDialogue.org and Tim Berners-Lee's vision of "Linked Open Data".
The blog for oeGOV is www.oegov.us/blog
Why build ontologies for eGovernment?
By having ontologies for eGovernment we enable:
- distributed creation and maintenance of information on data, about where it is used, and the government data itself;
- standardization of neutral models for data exchange and transformation;
- aggregation of data through the use of RDF/OWL formats;
- interpretation of data through precise semantics and controlled vocabularies, including geospatial and temporal aspects;
- navigation over who is publishing what in what format;
- provenance and trust in the sources of data;
- correlations and comparisons of data;
- accountability of the political process with policy making;
- transparency of government efficiencies and effectiveness;
- citizen awareness and appreciation of government initiatives.
Who is oeGOV?
oeGOV is an initiative started by TopQuadrant.
As far back as 2003 we have been building ontologies for eGovernment.
TopQuadrant was co-organizer of the first eGovernment conference at the White House Conference Center on the importance of Semantic Web Technologies for the sharing of data using the web infrastructure.
The first eGovernment ontologies were the FEA Ontologies.
Currently the focus is on ontologies of Government, datasets of US Government branches, agencies, departments, offices and state governments, and an ontology of data.gov.
oeGOV invites others to participate in these efforts.
We are keen to have participation from US Government Agencies.
If you are interesting in participating please send an email to rhodgson AT topquadrant.com
Where can I access the oeGOV Ontologies?
The first set of oeGOV Ontologies were published at the oeGOV blog site this site on August 1, 2009 - "Data Independence Day".
The current versions of the oeGOV Ontologies can be accessed using the tables below:
Overview
oeGOV is made up of schemas and several datasets. The Ontology Architecture is based on Modular Component Ontologies using "Named Graphs". See
this post for more details.
A consistent convention has been used for Names and Identifers, as documented on the
"Guidelines" page.
Schemas
The following Ontologies make up the oeGOV Schemas:
Schema |
Title |
Details |
cc |
Creative Commons (in RDF) |
Namespace URI: http://creativecommons.org/ns#
RDF Format: http://creativecommons.org/schema.rdf
Dependencies: none
|
dc |
Dublin Core |
Namespace URI: http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/
Dependencies: none
|
oecc |
Creative Commons Ontology |
Description: |
OWL Extensions to the Creative Commons RDF (cc). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.org/core/owl/cc# |
N3 Format: | cc.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | cc |
Dependencies: | cc, dc |
|
gc |
Government Core Ontology |
Description: |
The Government Core (gc) Ontology establishes a foundation for all oegov ontologies. |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.org/core/owl/gc# |
N3 Format: | gc.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | gc |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, oecc |
|
geopolitical |
Geopolitical Ontology |
Description: |
The FAO geopolitical ontology facilitates data exchange and sharing in a standardized manner among systems managing information about countries and/or regions. |
Namespace URI: | http://aims.fao.org/aos/geopolitical.owl# |
RDF/OWL Format: | http://aims.fao.org/aos/geopolitical.owl |
Dependencies: | |
|
gov |
Government Ontology |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about Government. |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.org/core/owl/cc# |
N3 Format: | oe1gov.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | oe1gov |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, oecc |
|
oe2gov |
Government Ontology |
Description: |
Level 2 Ontology about Government. Imports 'geopolitical'. |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.org/core/owl/cc# |
N3 Format: | oe2gov.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | oe2gov |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov |
|
usgov |
U.S. Government Ontology |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about the U.S. Government. |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.org/core/owl/cc# |
N3 Format: | us1gov.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1gov |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc |
|
Foundation for U.S. Government Bodies
Built on the oegov schemas is a foundation ontology for U.S. Government Bodies
Graph |
Description |
Details |
us1gov-bodies |
U.S. Government Ontology |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about the U.S. Constitution. |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.org/core/owl/cc# |
N3 Format: | us1gov-bodies.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1gov_bodies |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov |
|
U.S. Constitution Ontology
The level 1 Ontology of the U.S. Constitution is a model of the Bill of Rights with articles and amendments
Graph |
Description |
Details |
us1constitution |
U.S. Constitution Ontology |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about the U.S. Government. |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.org/core/owl/cc# |
N3 Format: | us1constitution.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1constitution |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov |
|
Government Agency Ontologies
Each Government Agency has its own Named Graph or "DataSet". The following named graphs make up the current oeGOV datasets for Government Agencies:
DHS,
DOC,
DOE,
DOI,
DOL,
DOJ,
DOS,
DOT,
ED,
EPA,
GSA,
HHS,
HUD,
NARA,
NASA,
NOAA,
TREASURY,
USDA,
VA,
WH
The following Aggregation Graphs are available:
- Civil Agencies
Department of Homeland Security
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
DHS |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/dhs# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_dhs.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1dhs |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Department of Commerce
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
DOC |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The Department of Commerce (DHS). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/doc# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_doc.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1doc |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Department of Energy
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
DOE |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The Department of Energy (DOE). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/doe# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_doe.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1doe |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Department of Interior
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
DOI |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The Department of Interior (DOI). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/doi# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_doi.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1doi |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Department of Justice
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
DOJ |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The Department of Justice (DOJ). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/doj# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_doj.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1doj |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Department of Labor
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
DOL |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The Department of Labor (DOL). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/dol# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_dol.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1dol |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Department of State
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
DOS |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The Department of State (DOS). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/dos# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_dos.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1dos |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Department of Transportation
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
DOT |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The Department of Transport (DOT). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/dot# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_dot.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1dot |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Education Department
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
ED |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The Department of Education (ED). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/ed# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_ed.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1ed |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Environment Protection Agency
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
EPA |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The Environment Protection Agency (EPA). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/epa# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_epa.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1epa |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
General Service Administration
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
GSA |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about the General Services Administration (GSA). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/gsa# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_gsa.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1gsa |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
HHS |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/dol# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_hhs.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1hhs |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
HUD |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/hud# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_hud.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1hud |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
National Archives Administration (NARA)
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
NARA |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about The National Archives Administration (NARA). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/nara# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_nara.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1nara |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
NASA |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/dol# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_nasa.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1nasa |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
NOAA |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/dol# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_noaa.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1noaa |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Treasury
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
Treasury |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about the Treasury (TREASURY). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/tres# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_treasury.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1treasury |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
USDA |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/usda# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_usda.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1usda |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
VA |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about the Veterans Affairs (VA). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/va# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_va.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1va |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Whitehouse
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
WH |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Ontology about the Whitehouse (WH). |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/wh# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_wh.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1wh |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
[Back]
Aggregation Graphs
An aggregation graph is used to collect a set of ontologies together in one merged graph.
Civil Agencies"
Blog Page |
Type |
Details |
us1civil |
gov:CivilAgency, gov:ExecutiveAgency |
Description: |
Level 1 Aggregation of Civil Agencies. |
Namespace URI: | http://www.oegov.us/democracy/us/federal/agency/owl/us1civil# |
N3 Format: | us1gov_civil.n3 |
RDF/OWL Format: | us1civil |
Dependencies: | cc, dc, gc, gov, oecc, usgov, usgov-bodies |
|
Screenshots
The following image shows the class 'gov:Body' and some of its sub-classes and associations.
Some 500 US Government bodies have been represented in OWL. The image below shows the Departments of the US Executive Branch.
Last Updated June 4, 2010
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