System and method for semantic normalization of source for metadata integration with etl processing layer of complex data across multiple data sources particularly for clinical research and applicable to other domains

A computer implemented method comprising:

• categorizing a plurality of target attributes into at least one domain, wherein the at least one domain has corresponding sets of domains;
• associating a plurality of source attributes with the corresponding sets of domains, wherein associating creates a set of semantic conceptual definitions;
• and
• storing the set of semantic conceptual definitions in a semantic conceptual mapping tool repository.

A data processing system comprising:

• a processor;
• a bus connected to the processor;
• a computer usable medium connected to the bus, wherein the computer usable medium contains a set of instructions for creating a set of definitions for use in mapping data, wherein the processor is adapted to carry out the set of instructions to:
• categorize a plurality of target attributes into at least one domain, wherein the at least one domain has corresponding sets of domains;
• associate a plurality of source attributes with the corresponding sets of domains, wherein associating creates a set of semantic conceptual definitions;
• and
• store the set of semantic conceptual definitions in a metadata repository.

A computer program product comprising:

• a computer usable medium having computer usable program code for mapping data, the computer program product including:
• computer usable program code for receiving a rule set, wherein the rule set defines a semantic conceptual mapping between a source attribute of a source datum and a target attribute of a target domain, and wherein the rule set is implemented using first metadata associated with the source datum;
• computer usable program code for creating a semantic conceptual construct based on the rule set, wherein the semantic conceptual construct describes the semantic conceptual mapping and defines a semantic normalization rule;
• computer usable program code for storing the semantic conceptual construct in a format that supports interaction with a tool for performing an extract, transform, and load process;
• computer usable program code for mapping the source datum to the target domain using the tool, wherein the tool performs the step of mapping using the semantic conceptual construct, and wherein a conformed datum is created by the step of mapping;
• and
• computer usable program code for storing the conformed datum in a target data repository.