Knowledge Study
In this sense, the study of knowledge means to study what people or experts, need to know if they know about or rather, are expert in, a particular knowledge area. Although the theory of knowledge is a fascinating topic in itself, the context addressed by AKRI is the study of what people need to know in order to know something fully. The thing that is known is usually given some name such as how to make bread. The study would investigate all of the elements of knowledge that need to be brought together in order for someone to know all about bread making to an expert level.Knowledge Structure Mapping is the central method used in these studies because it provides a way of making progress by applying a method and because it considers the way a human expert might learn or acquire the knowledge and uses this as the organisational framework for the investigation.
The knowledge is usually investigated through interviews with knowledge experts. Several parameters are also used in a study to allow experts to offer their valued opinion about the each element of knowledge. These parameters, other information they offer concerning the knowledge and the structure of the map created through the study, provide data that can be used to analyse the knowledge resource and in this way provide useful information for those responsible for the knowledge area.
Knowledge Structure Mapping
A KSM is an organised visual map containing nodes and connecting lines (arcs) and showing a knowledge area. A complete map also contains expert opinion about the knowledge area being shown.
Why Study Knowledge?
Knowledge is a central component of almost all human activities, or at least the organisational ones. Because of this ubiquity, knowledge is often overlooked as a discrete component of success. Focus is easily diverted towards easier to manage relations of knowledge.
Interviewing
Many organisations have a need for knowledge and skills connected with interviewing in general. There are many types and functions of interviews and there is underpinning knowledge associated with all of them. This work considered the interview in its general sense and does not attempt to prescribe methods for individual interview cases.
Using parameters to collect data
People can have very complex opinions and beliefs about the information they hold. Eliciting this opinion in a way that can reveal analytical data is an interesting area of study.
Using Knowledge Study
Knowledge Structure Mapping can be applied in a varsity of ways. It is important to consider the goals and constraints of a study and select a method that is appropriate for these goals and constraints.
Methodology
A simplified account of the methodology that is used to construct a Knowledge Structure Map. Only the activity phase is discussed but this is the main operational component of the methodology.
Where KSM has been applied
Lists examples of actual Knowledge Structure Mapping Projects and features a typical case study constructed from an overview of several successful projects. Anywhere knowledge is needed; it can be studied through a KSM approach.