The BCIO forms a composite of interrelated component ontologies (also referred to as ‘sub-ontologies’ or ‘lower level ontologies’), with the upper level forming the organising structure that is then populated by entities within each of the component ontologies.

The component ontologies within the BCIO include:

·      Behaviour Change Technique Ontology

·      Dose Ontology

·      Schedule of Delivery Ontology

·      Style of Delivery Ontology

·      Mode of Delivery Ontology

·      Intervention Source Ontology

·      Human Behaviour Ontology

·      Mechanism of Action Ontology

·      Intervention Population Ontology

·      Intervention Setting Ontology

·      Engagement Ontology

·      Intervention Fidelity Ontology

 The method for systematically developing the component ontologies within the BCIO is described here.