A conceptual approach to meta-modelling

In this paper we propose a conceptual-based approach to meta-modelling as a technique in which modelling knowledge can be expressed. Our approach claims to be sufficiently flexible and to homogenize the construction of meta-models, independently of the field of application. Besides, the components of meta-models have been thought up for improving the properties of adaptability, understandability and usability. A meta-model is defined as a perspective, a system of concepts and a so-called conceptual support. A conceptual support is, in essence, an IS-A hierarchy of concepts whose purpose it is to establish the specification elements that can be used to construct models. In order to illustrate the different notions that appear in the paper we present two examples of meta-models (statecharts and data flow diagrams) taken from two different application fields.