Constructive interaction in knowledge engineering
John G. Gammack, Anthony Anderson · Expert Systems · 1990
Abstract: It is argued that knowledge engineering can be usefully viewed as an interactive, conversational process. We review some issues concerning the dynamic determination of meaning and reference in the context of knowledge acquisition and argue that these issues affect both the process of knowledge engineering and its product. First, we distinguish three different aspects of context relevant to knowledge engineering and emphasise their critical importance. Secondly, some particular aspects of knowledge engineering as an interactive process are discussed, including the negotiation of local conventions, referentiality, tacit knowledge and agreed meaning. Finally, we suggest supplementing traditional practice with the method of constructive interaction, in an approach which recognises the relevance of interactive issues and their implications for knowledge engineering. In this approach, represented structure does not contain meaning, but acts as the focus for meaning to be agreed through an interactive dialogue. The knowledge engineer has a unique and active contribution to make to the success of this dialogue, leading to the systematisation of a domain of expertise.