Comparing representations with relational and EER models
Communications of the ACM
Cardinality constraints in semantic data models
Data & Knowledge Engineering
Comparing data modeling formalisms
Communications of the ACM
Database management and design (2nd ed.)
Database management and design (2nd ed.)
Expressing casual relationships in conceptual database schemas
Journal of Systems and Software
The entity-relationship model—toward a unified view of data
ACM Transactions on Database Systems (TODS) - Special issue: papers from the international conference on very large data bases: September 22–24, 1975, Framingham, MA
An ontological analysis of the relationship construct in conceptual modeling
ACM Transactions on Database Systems (TODS)
Mastering Data Modeling
Should Optional Properties Be Used in Conceptual Modelling? A Theory and Three Empirical Tests
Information Systems Research
Research Commentary: Information Systems and Conceptual Modeling--A Research Agenda
Information Systems Research
UML Distilled: A Brief Guide to the Standard Object Modeling Language
UML Distilled: A Brief Guide to the Standard Object Modeling Language
Unified Modeling Language Reference Manual, The (2nd Edition)
Unified Modeling Language Reference Manual, The (2nd Edition)
Fundamentals of Database Systems, Fourth Edition
Fundamentals of Database Systems, Fourth Edition
Database Modeling and Design: Logical Design (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Data Management Systems)
Database Modeling and Design: Logical Design (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Data Management Systems)
Complexity and clarity in conceptual modeling: comparison of mandatory and optional properties
Data & Knowledge Engineering - Special issue: Quality in conceptual modeling
Information Systems Research
Information Modeling and Relational Databases
Information Modeling and Relational Databases
Representing and reasoning over a taxonomy of part-whole relations
Applied Ontology - Ontological Foundations of Conceptual Modelling
Theoretical foundations for conceptual modelling in information systems development
Decision Support Systems
MIS Quarterly
The hole in the whole: a response to Allen and March
MIS Quarterly
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Empirical research is an important methodology for the study of conceptual modeling practices. The recently published article "Representing Part-Whole Relations in Conceptual Modeling: An Empirical Evaluation" (Shanks et al. 2008) uses the lens of ontology to study a relatively sophisticated aspect of conceptual modeling practice, the representation of aggregation and composition. It contends that some analysts argue that a composite should be represented as a relationship while others argue that a composite should be represented as an entity. We find no evidence of such a dispute in the data modeling literature. We observe that composites are objects. By definition, all object-types should be represented as entities. Therefore, using the relationship construct to represent composites should not be seen as a viable alternative. Additionally, we found significant conceptual and methodological issues within the study that call its conclusions into question. As a way to offer insight into the requisite methodological procedures for research in this area, we conducted two experiments that both explicate and address the issues raised. Our results call into question the utility of using ontology as a foundation for conceptual modeling practice. Furthermore, they suggest a contrary but at least equally plausible explanation for the results reported by Shanks et al. In conducting this work we hope to encourage dialogue that will be beneficial for future endeavors aimed at identifying, developing, and evaluating appropriate foundations for the discipline of conceptual modeling.