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Research Emphases for FY 1998
In FY 1998, KN will emphasize three broad areas of knowledge networking:
foundational research; prototype development and research; and ethical, social,
and behavioral research. These areas are described more fully below. The
examples given below are meant to be illustrative, not limiting.
Foundational Research
The foundations for KN require basic research on organizing, distilling,
securing, and collectively acting upon information through dynamic distributed
processes; methods for building and linking complex data structures,
computations, and knowledge processes; and tools for navigating, gathering, and
displaying widely scattered and disparate information. These foundations focus
on transforming information into knowledge and broadly disseminating that
knowledge. The usage of these tools in transforming and disseminating scientific
knowledge will depend critically on the participation of scientists and
engineers working in the specific knowledge domains of their expertise and on
the processes of scientific research in those domains.
Processes and Dynamics of Distributed Intelligence
Computational aspects of distributed intelligence: dynamic task allocation,
interaction, coordination, process and organization representation, collective
learning, consistency management, protocol, negotiation
Cognition by groups, teams, and organizations
Dynamics, adaptation and evolution of knowledge networks with particular
attention paid to the utilization of domain specific knowledge and processes
Pathologies in large-scale distributed knowledge systems, such as malicious
agents, viruses, overload, "knowledge storms"
Managing Heterogeneity and Achieving Interoperability
Computational and organizational foundations for coupling models, knowledge,
functionality, and human activities across scientific disciplines and within
different branches of individual disciplines, including:
Managing heterogeneity and interoperability in dimensions such as syntax,
semantics, scale, and structure
Composition of distributed models and activity
The use of discipline-specific scientific information and processes in the
design of knowledge interoperability criteria within and between disciplines
Computational Infrastructure, Tools and Environments
Secure and efficient network and communications infrastructures for
interactivity, including approaches to resource-limited and real-time
interactivity
Security, validation, authentication, and credibility of information
Large-scale remote data acquisition, distributed data analysis, experiment and
sensor control, and simulation; especially interactive and real-time aspects
Distributed knowledge: sharable ontologies, processes for distributed
classification and taxonomy, collaborative knowledge construction,
representation and filtering tools, digital libraries and repositories across
disciplines and application domains, and translation of representations
Prototype Development and Research
KN requires basic research and the accumulation of experience in creating,
using, and understanding the performance of domain-specific prototype knowledge
networks.
Constructing and using working prototypes of domain-specific, multidisciplinary
knowledge networks and collaboratories. Of specific interest are prototypes and
experiments that are compatible across networks and disciplines, accessible to
outside communities, and inclusive of disaggregated or virtual teams and members
of very different disciplines
Studies of the physical, behavioral, and organizational design of knowledge
networks and electronic collaborative work environments, including
organizational and decision-making processes and problems specific to individual
scientific disciplines
Development of engineering tools and methods for designing, reproducing, and
extending knowledge networks
Empirical studies of knowledge networks as arenas for scientific
experimentation, data gathering, analysis, and decision making
Ethical, Social and Behavioral Research on Knowledge Networks
Knowledge networks create new patterns of information flow, interaction, and
organization that require basic research into their social, political, ethical,
and economic characteristics. Normative and empirical research are needed to
address complex problems raised by the new technologies envisioned under KN.
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