An investigation into the possibility of using sociological research methodologies for the elicitation of tacit knowledge for building knowledge intensive systems

Henshall, AW

Abstract

The research notes that deficiencies in knowledge acquisition are impeding the
advancement of Knowledge Intensive Systems (KIS), such as Expert Systems (ES)
and Decision Support Systems (DSS). Humphreys (1989) maintains the problem is
not the quantity of knowledge collected but its quality. Humphreys (1989) contends
that 'Knowledge' has too narrow a definition in knowledge acquisition dogma and a
wider definition of 'knowledge' capable of handling 'procedural uncertainty' is
required.
'Tacit knowledge' by which Polanyi (1967) contends individuals interpret the world
appears a fruitful area to widen the definition of knowledge. The subjective nature
of tacit knowledge makes its explication problematic, however, it is noted that tacit
knowledge has a social aspect (interiorization) which appears amenable to sociological
investigation.
On the basis of the above it seemed prudent to focus the investigation down to the
following research question,
'On the basis of its nature, is there a method whereby at least some
tacit knowledge can be explicated for.
a) building the knowledge base;
b) more accurately predicting or planing for its usage and for
setting expectations.'
To test the thesis, a pilot investigation was undertaken at a local Housing Association
in order to gain first hand experience of knowledge acquisition. Examples of how
experts tacitally classify their domain were identified and methods of explicating this knowledge were tentatively formulated.
The above resulted in the formulation of a new perspective: traditionally KBS has
concerned itself with eliciting knowledge to be embodied in the knowledge base,
whereas, IS has concerned itself in gaining the knowledge involved in the systems
use/interpretation.
Fieldwork was later conducted in the maternity units of two local hospitals in order
to test the generalizability of these methods.
Five methods for the explication of tacit knowledge were identified.
1) The analysis of the reification of existing systems and the rationality internal
to these systems, can be used to explicate tacit knowledge.
2) More than one set of tacit knowledge can be present in one domain. Points
where two sets of tacit knowledge interact expose contradictions which can be
used as a tool to explicate the tacit knowledge of both groups.
3) The analysis of anecdotes revealed how domains were tacitally delimited and
the 'criticality' of tasks within a domain.
4) Action research using a 'mock up' data base revealed tacitally held domain
knowledge with implications for micro level criticality, of particular
importance to interface design.
5) The thesis identified knowledge acquisition as a method of sociological
investigation.

Citation

Henshall, A. An investigation into the possibility of using sociological research methodologies for the elicitation of tacit knowledge for building knowledge intensive systems. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Sep 16, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 16, 2011
• Award Date: Jan 1, 1995