A Study of Various Dimensions of Ontology Development Methodologies

Ontology Development Methodologies (ODMs) represent a systematic set of activities designed to support the structured creation of ontologies. Over the last 35 years, ODM research has evolved considerably, giving rise to a wide range of methodologies that have been applied across diverse domains such as biomedicine, finance, engineering, disaster management, and others. These methodologies have enabled the development of domain-specific ontologies tailored to meet various objectives. With ongoing technological advancements, the process of ontology development has transformed significantly. However, despite this progress, ontology engineering continues to face substantial complexity and unresolved challenges. To address these concerns, the present study offers a comprehensive review of the multifaceted dimensions of ODMs, organising them into a coherent taxonomy. The review covers key areas including ontology design approaches, ODM classification schemes, tools and technologies, evaluation methods, the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs), and the prevailing challenges in ODM research. Notably, this work consolidates and presents ten different classification schemes of ODMs, a comparative analysis of 11 Ontology Representation Languages (ORLs), 32 Ontology Development Environments (ODEs), 12 Ontology Evaluation Tools (OETs), and four ontology formalisms in one unified resource. Furthermore, the study brings together diverse evaluation approaches—some focused on specific categories such as agile methodologies, while others adopt a broader scope. Additionally, emerging research initiatives like OntoChat and DeepOnto are highlighted, showcasing how LLMs are now being leveraged to develop novel forms of ODMs. By offering a panoramic view of the ODM landscape, this study serves as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and ODM developers, facilitating a deeper understanding of the current state, ongoing trends, and future directions in ontology development.