Using Semantic Web Techologies for the Generation of Domain Templates to Support Clinical Study Meta-Data

The Biomedical Research Integrated Domain Group (BRIDG) model is a formal domain analysis model for protocol-driven biomedical research, and serves as semantic foundation for application and message development in the standards developing organizations (SDOs). The increasing sophistication and complexity of the BRIDG model requires new approaches to the management and utilization of the underlying semantics to harmonize domain-specific standards. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a semantic web-based approach that integrates the BRIDG model with ISO 21090 data types to generate domain templates to support clinical study meta-data standards development. In it we developed a template generation and visualization system based on an open-source Resource Description Framework (RDF) store backend, a SmartGWT-based web user interface, and a “mind map” based tool for the visualization of generated domain templates. We also developed a RESTful web service for access to the generated domain templates in a Clinical Information Modeling Initiative (CIMI)-compliant format. A preliminary usability study is performed to evaluate the system in terms of the ease of use and the capability for meeting the requirements using a selected use case.

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