We give a characterization of the partial stable models of a disjunctive database P in terms of the total stable models of a suitably transformed database Ptu. The transformation is based on annotating the atoms in the given database by the truth values true ("t") and undefined ("u")
Currently many fast algorithms are being developed for computing the total stable models of disjunctive deductive databases. Based on the new characterization given in this paper, these algorithms can also be used for computing partial stable models.