Why is SKOS needed?

1️. Harmonization of terminology:

SKOS helps standardize terms used in different scientific disciplines or languages. This facilitates data integration.

2️. Improved data search:

Thanks to a structured hierarchy of terms, SKOS facilitates semantic search and allows you to find data, even if synonyms or related concepts are used.

3️. Interdisciplinary integration:

The creation of controlled vocabularies and taxonomies facilitates the exchange of data between different scientific disciplines.

4️. Support for FAIR principles:

Using SKOS helps make data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable.

Tools for working with SKOS

1️. Protégé:

The most popular tool for creating and editing taxonomies and ontologies using SKOS.

2️. Vocabularies-as-a-Service (VaaS):

A tool from EOSC for vocabulary management and term mapping that supports SKOS.

3️. SKOS Play!:

An online platform for visualizing and validating taxonomies and vocabularies built according to the SKOS standard.

4️. PoolParty:

A professional tool for creating taxonomies, ontologies, and semantic graphs based on SKOS.

Examples of SKOS use in scientific projects

Example 1: AGROVOC (agricultural sciences)

AGROVOC is the largest multilingual dictionary for agricultural sciences that uses SKOS to describe terms in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and more.

Advantages:

Researchers can use a single terminology regardless of language or region, which simplifies data exchange.

Example 2: GEMET (ecology)

GEMET (General Multilingual Environmental Thesaurus) is a dictionary for environmental terms that helps harmonize environmental data internationally.

Advantages:

Ensures the compatibility of environmental data between different countries and organizations.

Example 3: Linked Open Data (LOD)

SKOS is used to create Linked Open Data, which allows data from different disciplines and repositories to be integrated.