In this constantly growing information technology driven era, data migration and replication pose a serious bottleneck in the distributed database infrastructure envi- ronment. For large heterogeneous environments with domains such as geospatial sci- ence and high energy physics, where large array of scienti c data are involved, diverse challenges are encountered with respect to dataset identi cation, location services, and e cient retrieval of information. These challenges include locating data sources, identifying e ective transfer route, and replication, just to mention a few. As dis- tributed systems aimed at constant delivery of data to the point of query origination continue to expand in size and functionality, e cient replication and data retrieval systems have subsequently become increasingly important and relevant. One such system is an infrastructure for large scale distributed scienti c data management. Several data management systems have been developed to help manage these fast growing datasets and their metadata. However little work has been done on allowing cross-communication and data-sharing between these di erent dataset management systems in a distributed, heterogeneous environment. This dissertation addresses this problem, focusing particularly on metadata and provenance service associated with it. We present the Virtual Uni ed Metadata architecture to establish communication between remote sites within a distributed heterogeneous environment using a client-server model. The system provides a frame- work that allows heterogeneous metadata services communicate and share metadata and datasets through the implementation of a communication interface. It allows for metadata discovery and dataset identi cation by enabling remote query between heterogeneous metadata repositories. The signi cant contributions of this system include: { the design and implementation of a client/server based remote metadata query system for scienti c datasets within distributed heterogeneous dataset reposito- ries; { Implementation of a caching mechanism for optimizing the system performance; { Analyzing the quality of service with respect to correct dataset identi cation, estimation of migration and replication time frame, and cache performance.

by Tse Ching-biu. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1985. / Bibliography: leaves 135-137.

by Yeung Fu Ki, Gallant. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-127). / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.ii / ABSTRACT --- p.iii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Organization Management --- p.2 / Systems Approach --- p.4 / Management Information System --- p.5 / Value of Study --- p.6 / Scope of Study --- p.7 / Chapter II. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.9 / Chapter III. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.11 / Information System --- p.11 / Establishment of a Management Information System --- p.16 / Top Issues Affecting MIS --- p.18 / IS Security --- p.19 / MIS Manager --- p.21 / MIS Department --- p.23 / User Attitude Toward MIS --- p.25 / MIS and Organizational Culture --- p.27 / MIS Development Trend --- p.28 / Chapter IV. --- THE SUBJECT COMPANY --- p.30 / Company Profile --- p.30 / Product Profile --- p.31 / Competitive Profile --- p.33 / Market Profile --- p.36 / Target Market --- p.37 / Organization Development Team --- p.38 / Existing MIS --- p.39 / Strengths of Existing MIS --- p.47 / Weaknesses of Existing MIS --- p.49 / Summary of Survey --- p.52 / Recommendation for Improvement --- p.54 / Chapter V. --- CONCLUSION --- p.60 / APPENDICES --- p.63 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.123

by Tso Tze Kwong. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Bibliography: leaves [121]-[123]. / Acknowledgments / Abstract --- p.A-1 / Table of Figures --- p.F-1 / Chapter Chapter 1. --- Group Factors and Their Impacts / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1-1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Why Group --- p.1-3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Effectiveness --- p.1-3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Efficiency --- p.1-4 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Knowledge --- p.1-4 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Social Bias Reduction --- p.1-5 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Commitment --- p.1-5 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- Communications --- p.1-5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Quality of Decision --- p.1-6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Risk Taking --- p.1-8 / Chapter 1.5 --- Social Factors --- p.1-8 / Chapter 1.6 --- Problems on Groups --- p.1-9 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Group Decision Support Systems / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.2-1 / Chapter 2.2 --- Group Decision Making / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Definition of Decision-making Group --- p.2-2 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- An Information-Exchange View --- p.2-2 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Group Interaction --- p.2-3 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Group Decision Making Process --- p.2-4 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Group Decision Making Process Model TC-l --- p.2-7 / Chapter 2.3 --- Group Decision Support System --- p.2-9 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Current Research Trend --- p.2-9 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Definition of GDSSs --- p.2-10 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Comparisons of Major Features of GDSSs in Practice --- p.2-13 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- The GDSS Software Models / Chapter 2.3.4.1 --- The Software Components --- p.2-19 / Chapter 2.3.4.2 --- Mapping Group Decision Making Concepts into GDSS Model --- p.2-23 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- The GDSS Design / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.3-1 / Chapter 3.2 --- System Overall Objectives --- p.3-2 / Chapter 3.3 --- The Assumptions --- p.3-2 / Chapter 3.4 --- System Scope / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Design Scope --- p.3-3 / Chapter 3.5 --- Objectives / Chapter 3.5.1 --- User's Perspective --- p.3-4 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- System's Perspective --- p.3-5 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Decision Support Perspective --- p.3-7 / Chapter 3.6 --- The Conceptual Design of Our GDSS --- p.3-8 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- The Information Exchange Subsystem --- p.3-8 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- The Decision Making Subsystem --- p.3-10 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- The Communications Framework of The System --- p.3-12 / Chapter 3.7 --- The Physical Design of The System / Chapter 3.7.1 --- The Network Structure --- p.3-14 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- The Communications Flow --- p.3-16 / Chapter 3.7.3 --- The Overall System Structure / Chapter 3.7.3.1 --- The Setup Module Its Functions and Components --- p.3-17 / Chapter 3.7.3.2 --- The Monitor Module Its Functions and Logic --- p.3-19 / Chapter 3.7.3.3 --- The Private Module Its Functions and Logic --- p.3-22 / Chapter 3.7.3.4 --- The Common Module Its Functions and Logic --- p.3-24 / Chapter 3.7.4 --- The System Overall Control Logic --- p.3-26 / Chapter 3.8 --- Aids in Group Decision Making / Chapter 3.8.1 --- The Nominal Group Technique --- p.3-29 / Chapter 3.8.2 --- Decision Tree --- p.3-30 / Chapter 3.8.3 --- Multi-Attribute Utility Technique (MAU) --- p.3-32 / Chapter 3.8.4 --- Adjusted Multi-Attribute Utility Model --- p.3-35 / Chapter 3.8.5 --- Compromise Rules / Chapter a. --- Simple Majority --- p.3-38 / Chapter b. --- Borda Rule --- p.3-39 / Chapter c. --- Weighting --- p.3-40 / Chapter 3.9 --- The Information-Exchange Phase --- p.3-41 / Chapter 3.10 --- The Decision Making Phase / Chapter I --- Factors to Consider --- p.3-41 / Chapter II --- The Solution of Finalizing / Chapter Chapter 4. --- The Implementation of GDSS / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.4-1 / Chapter 4.2 --- The Mechanism of Exchanging Information --- p.4-1 / Chapter 4.3 --- The Implementation of NGT --- p.4-2 / Chapter 4.4 --- The Forming of The Decision Structure --- p.4-3 / Chapter 4.5 --- The Finalizing of Node Details --- p.4-9 / Chapter 4.6 --- Methods in Evaluating A Final Choice --- p.4-12 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- A Practical Application / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.5-1 / Chapter 5.2 --- Background --- p.5-1 / Chapter 5.3 --- Objective --- p.5-2 / Chapter 5.4 --- Decision Analysis Rationale --- p.5-3 / Chapter 5.5 --- The Decision Tree --- p.5-4 / Chapter 5.6 --- Decision Making Process --- p.5-8 / Chapter 5.7 --- The Feedback on Use of The System --- p.5-10 / Chapter Chapter 6. --- Conclusion / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.6-1 / Chapter 6.2 --- System Feedback --- p.6-2 / Chapter 6.3 --- The Practical Means of The System --- p.6-5 / Chapter 6.4 --- The Limitation of The System --- p.6-6 / Chapter 6.5 --- The Future Perspective of The System --- p.6-6 / References --- p.ref-1

by Paul Y.L. Mok. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.3 / Chapter III. --- CHARACTERISTICS OF AN INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COMPANY --- p.5 / Chapter IV. --- MIS IN THEORY --- p.9 / Chapter V. --- USER REQUIREMENTS --- p.14 / Chapter VI. --- ORGANIZATIONAL CONCEPTS --- p.19 / Chapter VII. --- ACCOUNTING CONCEPTS --- p.25 / Chapter VIII. --- CONCEPTUAL DESIGN --- p.30 / Chapter IX. --- CONCLUSION --- p.37 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.39

by Leung Wei-chuen Daniel. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1988. / Bibliography: leaves 80-83.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong. / Bibliography: leaves 203-205.

by Poon, Koon-hei. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-83). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.6 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1. --- BACKGROUND --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2. --- example systems --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Multibase --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Mermai d --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.3. --- The Metadatabase Approach --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3. --- SUMMARY --- p.29 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- THE METADATABASE APPROACH --- p.31 / Chapter 3.1. --- Two-Stage Entity Relationship (TSER) model --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2. --- The GIRD --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3. --- The Metadatabase system in action --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3. --- global query formulations and processing in the metadatabase system --- p.37 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- PROBLEM OUTLINES FOR HORIZONTAL PARTITIONING AND ITS VARIANTS --- p.39 / Chapter 4.1. --- Horizontal partitioning --- p.39 / Chapter 4.2. --- Level of abstraction --- p.41 / Chapter 4.3. --- Schematic variances --- p.42 / Chapter 4.4. --- Summary --- p.43 / Chapter 4.5. --- The Scenario --- p.44 / Chapter 4.6. --- Populating the Metadatabase --- p.48 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- THE ENHANCEMENTS FOR GLOBAL QUERY WITH HORIZONTAL PARTITIONED DATA OBJECTS --- p.51 / Chapter 5.1. --- Identifying partitioned data objects --- p.51 / Chapter 5.2. --- Additional metadata for the horizontal partitioned data objects --- p.52 / Chapter 5.3. --- Complications of horizontal partitioning problem --- p.54 / Chapter 5.3.1. --- Level of abstraction --- p.55 / Chapter 5.3.2. --- Schematic variances --- p.57 / Chapter 5.4. --- Global query with horizontal partitioning data objects --- p.59 / Chapter 5.5. --- Housing the new metadata --- p.68 / Chapter 5.6. --- Example --- p.72 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- ANALYSIS --- p.75 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORKS --- p.78 / REFERENCES --- p.80 / APPENDICES --- p.84 / Chapter A. --- GIRD Definitions --- p.84 / Chapter A1. --- GIRD Model --- p.84 / Chapter A2. --- GIRD/SER Contents --- p.84 / Chapter A3. --- GIRD/OER Constructs --- p.87 / Chapter A4. --- Definition of Meta-attributes --- p.89 / Chapter B. --- Problems Representations in Relation Algebra --- p.96 / Chapter B1. --- Horizontal problem --- p.96 / Chapter B2. --- Level of abstraction --- p.96 / Chapter B3. --- Schematic Variance --- p.97 / Chapter C. --- Details of local systems --- p.98

by Ho Kwok-Wai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-126). / Abstract also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.II / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.V / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.X / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.XII / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Need support in data integration --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Need support in On-line Analytical Processing (OLAP) --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- The proposed research --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Scope of the study --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.7 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1 --- Executive Information System (EIS) --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Definition --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Goals of Executive Information System --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Role of Executive Information System --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- General characteristics of Executive Information System --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.4.1 --- A separate executive database --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.4.2 --- Data aggregation facilities --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.4.3 --- Drill-Down (and Roll-Up) --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.4.4 --- Trend analysis --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.4.5 --- Highly user-friendly interface / Chapter 2.1.4.6 --- Flexible menu-based data retrieval --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.4.7 --- High quality of business graphics --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.4.8 --- Simple modeling facilities --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.4.9 --- Communications --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.4.10 --- Automated links to other databases --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.4.11 --- Briefing book --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Architecture of Executive Information System --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Potential problems of Executive Information System --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2 --- On-line Analytical Processing (OLAP) --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Limitations of OLAP --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Integration of heterogeneous distributed systems and databases --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3 --- Data Warehousing (DW) --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Definition --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3.1.1 --- Subject-Orientation --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3.1.2 --- Integration --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3.1.3 --- Time Variancy --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.1.4 --- Nonvolatile --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Goal of Data Warehousing --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Architecture of Data Warehousing --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- Integrator --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Monitor --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.3.3 --- Data Warehouse --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Application in EIS --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Problems associated with Data Warehouse --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4 --- The Metadatabase Approach --- p.35 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Goals of the Metadatabase Approach --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Structure of the Metadatabase Approach --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Metadatabase Approach functionalities --- p.40 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- TSER Modeling Technique --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.4.1 --- The Functional Model --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.4.1.1 --- Subject --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.4.1.2 --- Context --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.4.2 --- The Structural Model --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.4.2.1 --- Entity --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.4.2.2 --- Plural Relationship (PR) --- p.45 / Chapter 2.4.4.2.3 --- Functional Relationship (FR) --- p.45 / Chapter 2.4.4.2.4 --- Mandatory Relationship (MR) --- p.45 / Chapter 2.4.4.3 --- Metadatabase Repository --- p.46 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1 --- Literature review --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2 --- Architecture construction --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3 --- Algorithm and methods development --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4 --- Prototyping --- p.51 / Chapter 3.5 --- Analysis and evaluation --- p.51 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- MULTIDIMENSIONAL DATA ANALYSIS --- p.53 / Chapter 4.1 --- Multidimensional Analysis Unit (MAU) --- p.54 / Chapter 4.2 --- New steps for multidimensional data analysis --- p.57 / Step 1 Indicator Selection --- p.57 / Step 2 Dimensions Determination --- p.58 / Step 3 Dimensions Selection --- p.58 / Step 4 MAU Sub-view Materialization --- p.59 / Step 5 On-line Analytical Processing (OLAP) --- p.59 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- NEW ARCHITECTURE FOR EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEM --- p.60 / Chapter 5.1 --- Evolution of EIS architecture --- p.60 / Chapter 5.2 --- Objectives of the new EIS architecture --- p.63 / Chapter 5.3 --- The new EIS architecture --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- The Metadatabase Management System (MDBMS) --- p.67 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- The ROLAP/MDB Interface --- p.68 / Chapter 5.3.2.1 --- The Indicator Browser --- p.69 / Chapter 5.3.2.2 --- The Dimension Selector --- p.70 / Chapter 5.3.2.3 --- The Multidimensional Data Analyzer --- p.70 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- The ROLAP/MDB Analyzer --- p.71 / Chapter 5.3.3.1 --- The Dimension Determination Module --- p.71 / Chapter 5.3.3.2 --- The MAU Schema Saver --- p.72 / Chapter 5.3.3.3 --- The MQL Generator --- p.72 / Chapter 5.3.3.4 --- The MAU Sub-view Materializer --- p.72 / Chapter 5.3.3.5 --- The ROLAP/MDB Processor --- p.73 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- ALGORITHM AND METHODS FOR THE NEW EIS ARCHITECTURE.… --- p.74 / Chapter 6.1 --- Indicator Browser --- p.74 / Chapter 6.2 --- Determining dimensions and storing MAU Schema --- p.77 / Chapter 6.3 --- Dimensions selection --- p.82 / Chapter 6.4 --- Materialize MAU Sub-view --- p.82 / Chapter 6.5 --- Multidimensional data analysis in relational manner --- p.85 / Chapter 6.5.1 --- SQL statements for three dimensional slide operation --- p.87 / Chapter 6.5.2 --- SQL statements for n-dimensional slide operation --- p.89 / Chapter 6.5.3 --- SQL statements for n-dimensional dice operation --- p.91 / Chapter 6.5.4 --- Rotation --- p.92 / Chapter 6.5.5 --- Drill-Down (and Roll-Up) --- p.94 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- A CASE STUDY USING THE PROTOTYPED EIS --- p.97 / Chapter 7.1 --- A Business Case --- p.97 / Chapter 7.2 --- Multidimensional data analysis --- p.98 / Step 1 Indicator selection --- p.99 / Step 2 & 3 Dimension determination & MAU Schema storage --- p.100 / Step 4 Dimension specification --- p.102 / Step 5 MAU Sub-view formation --- p.104 / Step 6 Multidimensional data analysis operations --- p.104 / Chapter CHAPTER 8 --- EVALUATION OF THE NEW EIS ARCHITECTURE --- p.110 / Chapter 8.1 --- Improvements --- p.110 / Chapter 8.1.1 --- Adaptability --- p.111 / Chapter 8.1.2 --- Flexibility --- p.112 / Chapter 8.2 --- New features of the new EIS architecture --- p.113 / Chapter 8.2.1 --- Access on-line production data --- p.113 / Chapter 8.2.2 --- Facilitate data-mining --- p.114 / Chapter 8.3 --- Processing efficiency problem --- p.114 / Chapter 8.3.1 --- MAU Schema Saver for reusability --- p.115 / Chapter 8.3.2 --- Dimension Selector to scale down data retrieval --- p.116 / Chapter 8.3.3 --- MAU Sub-view materialization for reusability --- p.116 / Chapter 8.3.4 --- Incorporate data warehouse to reduce access to local systems --- p.117 / Chapter 8.4 --- Summary --- p.117 / Chapter CHAPTER 9 --- CONCLUSION --- p.118 / Chapter CHAPTER 10 --- DIRECTION OF FUTURE STUDIES --- p.120 / REFERENCES --- p.121 / APPENDIX --- p.127 / Global Information Resources Dictionary (GIRD) --- p.127

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries