Expert Knowledge

It is the information woven inside the mind of an expert for accurately and quickly solving complex problems.

• Knowledge Chunking
  • Knowledge is usually stored in experts long-range memory as chunks.

  • Knowledge chunking helps experts to optimize their memory capacity and enables them to process the information quickly.

  • Chunks are groups of ideas that are stored and recalled together as an unit.

• Knowledge as an Attribute of Expertise
  • In most areas of specialization, insight and knowledge accumulate quickly, and the criteria for expert performance usually undergo continuous change.

  • In order to become an expert in a particular area, one is expected to master the necessary knowledge and make significant contributions to the concerned field.

  • The unique performance of a true expert can be easily noticed in the quality of decision making.

  • The true experts (knowledgeable) are usually found to be more selective about the information they acquire, and also they are better able in acquiring information in a less structured situation.

  • They can quantify soft information, and can categorize problems on the basis of solution procedures that are embedded in the experts long range memory and readily available on recall.

  • Hence, they tend to use knowledge-based decision strategies starting with known quantities to deduce unknowns.

  • If a first-cut solution path fails, then the expert can trace back a few steps and then proceed again.

  • Nonexperts use means-end decision strategies to approach the the problem scenario.

  • Nonexperts usually focus on goals rather than focusing on essential features of the task which makes the task more time consuming and sometimes unreliable.

  • Specific individuals are found to consistently perform at higher levels than others and they are labeled as experts.