Using Knowledge Study
A knowledge study, using the Knowledge Structure Mapping (KSM) methodology, can be carried out at several different levels. Although each level is fundamentally the same, the resources necessary to deliver a KSM at different levels are different. Five types of Knowledge Study using the KSM approach are identified here. These are:
- Primary Knowledge Study
- Supplemented Knowledge Study
- Short Knowledge Study
- Exploratory Knowledge Study
- Casual Knowledge Study
Each type is outlined below but all are fundamentally similar.
Primary Knowledge Study
There is a documented methodology that explains the steps necessary to deliver a standard and typical KSM project. This will involve the identification of expert, management and analyst teams and the elicitation of information focused on the construction of a KSM. The period of time involved, without interruptions, would be about three weeks from starting work with the expert team to delivery of the final report. The map itself would contain about 100 fully documented knowledge elements or nodes with each node also recording specific aspects of expert opinion about that knowledge element.
Supplemented Knowledge Study
This knowledge study would be based on and primarily composed of a Primary Knowledge Study. However, it would be supplemented with additional exploration of one or more of the key knowledge elements from the primary study. The supplementary studies (probably maps of about 25 to 35 nodes in size) would be integrated with the primary study to give a supplemented study. Each supplementary map would probably take no longer than two or three days to complete and work would probably be with a single expert and a single analyst. The supplemented study would eventually become a slightly larger map than a primary study and would take a few extra days to complete. The reason for carrying out a supplemented study would be the identification of knowledge elements within a primary study that require further investigation for business reasons.
Short Knowledge Study
A short study would probably involve work by one analyst and one expert and would take the form of the sort of studies that are added to a primary study to make a supplemented study. A short study would probably lead to a KSM that contains between 25 to 35 knowledge nodes. Each node in this short study would be fully populated with data where possible. A stand alone short study would take between two and three days but there may be need for a preparatory meeting before work begins on the study. A short study would not include a full and detailed analysis. Such analysis would take a little longer. However, the full range of automated analysis options would be available along with any clear findings that are uncovered.
Exploratory Knowledge Study
An exploratory study follows the general pattern of a primary study but it is also quite like a knowledge focused brainstorming session (if such a thing can exist). Typically, the main objective of this study would be to uncover the main knowledge sub elements of a new or problematic knowledge area. The study is likely to be carried out at strategic level and organised more like an analyst lead workshop. An exploratory study may only last for one or two days and may uncover fewer than 20 knowledge nodes, even as few as 6 or 7 nodes. The value would be found in what these knowledge nodes were, their definition, summaries and their associated parameter values.
It would be possible to convert an exploratory study into a primary study if this was felt to be desirable on completion of the exploratory component.
Casual Knowledge Study
A casual Knowledge Study using a KSM is really anything else that is not one of the main study approaches. A Casual study may be used by an experienced person that wishes to explore a knowledge area on their own, for almost any reason. A casual study may be used by people that meet occasionally and wish to explore a topic in a focused way. Occasional meetings may be supplemented by email or networked contributions from others. A casual study may consist of partial dependency trees from other studies in the exploration of a new topic. A casual study could be very small and serve its purpose or it could be an on going project and become quite large.
The Component Parts of a Knowledge Study
If the methodology is to be refined or tuned, it is important to consider what parts may be discarded or relaxed. The main elements of a KSM based knowledge study will now be considered in this light.
Strict adherence to ‘Learning Dependency’ when constructing the map
This is always essential for a KSM. Without it, the study would simply deliver a group of knowledge elements or even just statements, connected almost randomly by links. The links may mean one thing for one pair of nodes and another thing for another pair. The map structure (if that is what it could be called) would be meaningless.
Providing a meaningful name and tight definition
Again, this is always necessary because the map would be unreadable without suitable knowledge naming and tight definitions to avoid ambiguity.
Providing a summary
A summary is essential for primary and supplemented studies and very useful for all of the others. A good summary will help to guide the construction of the map and ensure its correctness and will also provide a useful resource for learning and for automated resource creation. A correct summary may also save a user a great deal of time in helping them to find precisely what they are looking for.
Providing a Link to a more complete information repository
This is generally highly desirable for any business application of KSM but may be thought unnecessary for casual or exploratory studies. Without this link however, a KSM can become an isolated resource and its uses may be restricted because of this. It is more likely that some links will be provided during the study and others later as part of some knowledge development programme.
Selecting Parameters and Eliciting Parameter Values
This is an essential part of a business KSM project. Without it, much of the automated analysis available for a full study would be unavailable for a study without a full set of parameter values. This also means that all parameter values should be provided (except for the focus node) and none randomly omitted. On some occasions and for the fulfilment of certain goals, parameter values may be thought unnecessary. However, if this option is chosen then future innovative use of the project results will be restricted and the power offered by the study tool will be severely constrained.
In short, it is good practice to include all of the elements of a study no matter what type of study is being carried out. This makes sense from an efficiency point of view even if the provision of all elements will take longer to complete. The omission of elements may affect the accuracy of the study, may make it more difficult to develop and will almost certainly constrain the capabilities of the analytical tools that are available.