Author(s)

I. Finch

Abstract

Viewpoints - expanding explanation capabilities I. Finch Department of Computer Science, University of Liverpool, Chadwick Building, P.O. Box 147, ABSTRACT Knowledge-based systems have not achieved the widespread usage that was orig- inally expected from them. This is, in many cases, due to inadequate explanation facilities; particularly so in domains where the users are from a variety of back- grounds or possess different mental models of concepts. Engineering domains typically fall into this category. This paper introduces the viewpoint as a mechanism for providing flexibility to knowledge-based systems, greatly augmenting their explanatory powers, and also providing other benefits such as increased efficiency and greater ease of maintenance. Essentially, a viewpoint is a way of looking at a concept and a knowledge- based system with multiple viewpoints can explain a concept in a number of ways. This provides the system with a great degree of versatility, allowing it to sa

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