DataTerminology.comNEW
Also known as: skos:broadMatch
A mapping where one concept is broader than the other across vocabularies.
DESCRIPTION
Broad Match links a concept to a broader concept in another scheme, helping users navigate hierarchical differences across vocabularies. It preserves granularity while enabling federated discovery and aggregation. In SKOS, broadMatch complements narrowMatch to express cross-scheme hierarchy. Careful use maintains retrieval relevance and prevents loss of detail.
ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS
W3C SKOS Primer
skos:broadMatch links a concept to a broader concept in a different concept scheme.
Defines cross-scheme hierarchical alignment, not within-scheme broad/narrow.
W3C SKOS Reference
skos:broadMatch is used to state that one concept is broader than another across different concept schemes.
Emphasizes directionality of hierarchical mapping across schemes.
RELATED TERMS
Mapping Relation Simple Knowledge Organization System Knowledge Representation Class Hierarchy Thesaurus Value Set Hierarchy RDF Alignment
COMPETING TERMS
RELATIONS
- Broader: Mapping Relation
KNOWLEDGE AREAS
Semantic & Knowledge Modeling Metadata Management
TARGET AUDIENCE
Data Steward Information Analyst Data Modeler
EXTERNAL SOURCES
- Wikipedia - Simple Knowledge Organization System
- W3C - Primer section on broadMatch
- W3C - Reference for mapping properties
TOP QUESTIONS
When should Broad Match be used?
Use Broad Match when the target concept represents a more general category than the source, across different vocabularies.
Category: Requirements
What is a typical mistake with Broad Match?
Confusing within-scheme broader with cross-scheme broadMatch. The mapping properties are specifically inter-scheme.
Category: Mistakes
How does Broad Match affect search aggregation?
It enables roll-up to general categories across schemes, improving discoverability while preserving finer distinctions.
Category: Impact
Is Broad Match directional?
Yes. It indicates that the target is broader than the source, complementing narrowMatch for the reverse.
Category: Example
What governance is needed for Broad Match?
Document rationale, evidence, and reviewers. Monitor downstream effects on aggregation and analytics.
Category: Management
How does Broad Match relate to taxonomies?
It aligns taxonomic hierarchies across schemes, supporting multi-source classification.
Category: Example
What risks stem from incorrect Broad Matches?
Over-generalization, reduced precision, and user frustration due to irrelevant results.
Category: Risk
Does Broad Match imply equivalence?
No. It expresses hierarchy, not interchangeability.
Category: Misunderstanding
Which standards define Broad Match?
W3C SKOS formalizes broadMatch as an inter-scheme hierarchical mapping property.
Category: Standard