What is the difference between attribute-based and vector-based data sources

Question

[765862125]

Hi,

I am reading a paper about gene prioritization and I encounter the terms 'attribute-based data sources' and 'vector-based data sources' while reading the part that the authors illustrate their methods.

I am new to gene data analysis and have no background in database so I was wondering what are the definitions for these two kinds of data sources and what's the difference between them. The authors do give some samples: attribute-based data sources such as GO, KEGG EST expression; vector-based data sources such as literature, microarray expression data

Could anyone give me some ideas? Thanks!

Answer 1

[Jean-Karim Heriche]

Attributes are categorical descriptors of data items, e.g. the list of GO terms associated with a gene. Vector data are numerical descriptors of the data items, e.g. the level of expression of a gene under different conditions.
Since you're interested in gene prioritization, I'll shamelessly point you to my paper on the topic.