title: Mistakes in medical ontologies: where do they come from and how can they be detected?
abstract: We present the details of a methodology for quality assurance in large medical terminologies and describe three algorithms that can help terminology developers and users to identify potential mistakes. The methodology is based in part on linguistic criteria and in part on logical and ontological principles governing sound classifications. We conclude by outlining the results of applying the methodology in the form of a taxonomy different types of errors and potential errors detected in SNOMED-CT.
authors.affiliation: Language & Computing nv, Hazenakkerstraat 20a, B-9520 Zonnegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ceusters
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Christoffel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dhaen
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D039061:Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine; D009626:Terminology as Topic