OWL and SKOS tags and their meaning

OWL

owl:equivalentClass

• the same class but it might not have the same values in the properties.

RDF

rdf:type

Means that a certain thing is a part of a class of similar things. Generally, fits the model of "A is a type of B". Example:

• Ford is a type of Car
• John is a student

rdfs:subClass

Possibly the most abused tag in the universe. Generally, fits the model of "A is a specialization of B, of which there is an instance C" or (A rdfs:subClass B and C rdf:type B). Example:

• "A graduate student is a specialization of a student and John is a Graduate Student." This also implies that "John is a student".

SKOS

skos:related

"Relates a concept to a concept with which there is an associative semantic relationship."

• A pick-up truck is related to a car. (Why? Because it is a vehicle.)
• A pick-up truck is related to a lawn mover. (Why? Because they both run on gas and have four wheels).

• Both definitions are correct, but the relationship is poorly defined.

skos:narrower

"Relates a concept to a concept that is more specific in meaning."

• Wesleyanism is a narrower concept than Protestantism"

skos:exactMatch

• the strings match but it may not be the same entity (“sloppy standard of exactness”)

skos:closeMatch

• conceptually or close match algorithmically (uppercase lowercase, extra space, spelling difference)

skos:broadMatch

• directional; points to superclass or non-disambiguated concept such as Canada

skos:narrower

• subclassing without saying anything about the property. Looser than a subclass. Sloppy search mechanisms in taxonomy

skos:narrowerTransitive

• the equivalent of subclassing without the property. Indicates that this instance is related to its parent, but not its parent’s parent.

skos:broader

• the opposite of narrower

skos:broaderTransitive

• the opposite of narrower transitive