Mapcar: A framework to support the elaboration of the conceptual model of a knowledge-based system

Constructing a knowledge-based system requires the identification of the conceptual primitives and problem-solving strategy that will permit capturing the expertise in an adapted way. This article presents an approach to support the elaboration of such a conceptual model by data abstraction. Our work is motivated by the objective of constructing models that correspond to how experts solve problems, which is required for some applications, as, for example, presenting problem solving in an educational system. We argue that such an objective cannot be tackled by refining a predefined model. We propose to use a prototype reifying the model as a means for its study. We present methodological guides, and an operationalization language that allows the putting into practice of the approach we propose. Examples from different applications illustrate the presentation. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.