Evaluating Conceptual Coherence in Multi-Modeling Techniques

Abstract

Meta-modeling is a well-known approach for capturing modeling methods and techniques. A meta-model can serve as a basis for quantitative evaluation of methods and techniques. By means of a number of formal metrics based on the meta-model, a quantitative evaluation of methods and techniques becomes possible. Existing meta-modeling languages and measurement schemes do not allow the explicit modeling of so-called multimodeling techniques. Multi-modeling techniques are techniques that offer a coherent set of aspect modeling techniques to model different aspects of a certain phenomenon. As a consequence, existing approaches lack metrics to quantitatively assess aspects that are particular to multi-modeling techniques. In this chapter, a modeling language for modeling multimodeling techniques is proposed as well as metrics for evaluating the coherent set of aspect modeling techniques that constitute the multimodeling technique. This chapter appears in the book, Information Modeling Methods and M thod logies, edited by John Krogstie, Terry Halpin and Keng Siau. Copyright © 2005, Idea Group Inc. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of Idea Group Inc. is prohibited. 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Suite 200, Hershey PA 17033-1240, USA Tel: 717/533-8845; Fax 717/533-8661; URL-http://www.idea-group.com IDEA GROUP PUBLISHING