Using EVOKS to build controlled vocabularies

Controlled vocabularies are used to describe knowledge within a particular domain, encompassing a comprehensive collection of domain specific terms. Using controlled vocabularies not only mitigates the challenge of data ambiguity, but also offers several advantages, including references to term definitions, particularly within Metadata Schemas. Additionally, they foster semantic interoperability and facilitate the seamless integration of ontologies.
EVOKS, the Editor for Vocabularies to Know Semantics, is a general-purpose vocabulary service which allows data stewards and scientists to easily create or import, edit, curate and publish controlled vocabularies using the W3C recommended SKOS data model [1]. Access to published vocabularies is effectively ensured through the implementation of SKOSMOS [2] as dedicated vocabulary browser instance.
We provide a publicly accessible SKOSMOS instance for NFDI-MatWerk [3]. There, it is possible to publish vocabularies created in the NFDI-MatWerk. Additionally, members of NFDI-MatWerk have access to an exemplary EVOKS instance for editing vocabularies [4].
Taking the MatWerk Acronyms Vocabulary [5] as an example, the poster shows basic usage and benefits of using EVOKS. ... mehrIn particular:
• Creating and editing of controlled vocabularies
• Collaboratively working on vocabularies
• Advantages of applying persistent URLs to the vocabulary and vocabulary terms
The NFDI-MatWerk Acronyms Vocabulary consists of roughly 70 terms and required approximately two working days to be created.
As an application use case, the poster also demonstrates the integration of controlled vocabularies into metadata schemas. Specifically, it illustrates how the narrower concepts of a term from a controlled vocabulary appear as selectable options in the schema's drop-down menu, when a metadata editor interface is configured.
The EVOKS interface is designed to be very intuitive and user-friendly: users can quickly familiarise themselves with the platform and navigate its features without significant time investment. This service speeds up and facilitates the process of creating controlled vocabularies, which allows for a common understanding of terms, eases interoperability, and contributes to FAIRness.
This work has been supported by NFDI-MatWerk (DFG – n. 460247524), NFDI4Ing (DFG – n. 442146713), NFFA-Europe-Pilot (EU H2020 – n. 101007417), and by the Helmholtz Research Association with the research program ‘Engineering Digital Futures’ and the Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC) platform.



References
[1] http://www.w3.org/TR/skos-reference
[2] https://skosmos.org/
[3] https://matwerk.datamanager.kit.edu/evoks/
[4] https://evoks.matwerk.datamanager.kit.edu
[5] https://purls.helmholtz-metadaten.de/evoks/MatWerkAcronyms/