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What is expertise? How do we know someone is an expert? Expertise is observable accomplishment or skill in a specific field. An expert is someone we can trust to tell us the facts we need to know. Expertise means proficient at a skill. An expert can do something better than almost anyone else. For example: LibrarySpot.com is described as a place where you can access reference books (e.g.: dictionaries, encyclopedias, journals) and the experts who write them. Thus people with expertise are those who write the information we view as evidence, peer-reviewed, accepted as true. Another example: We know David Weil is an expert on the history of computers, because he runs the Computer Museum of America and publishes works that are verifiable. Other experts refer to him. Other experts say the same things he says. |
Why should we check an expert's view?
- Seeking multiple sources for information (sometimes called triangulation) is a dependable way to get the whole story and not just part of the story. Triangulating at least three solid sources of information is particularly important if the subject is a complex one.
- Experts have time to do more research than you can accomplish. Take advantage of their work; let them search for you.
- Try to find two experts with totally different opinions. If you can, then you must do some thinking. If you can not, then your decision mayl be easy.
- Citing an expert adds credibility to your work.
How can I find people with expertise in my subject?
- Search for authors who have written about your topic and contact them via email.
- Ask your librarian or teacher or someone else you know who is interested in the topic.
- Online libraries are offering reference librarian services virtually. These ask-the-librarian services work quite well.
- Search for Ask-the-expert services.
- There are many who swear that newsgroup and listserv connections give them the answer to any question they ask
- Google Answers provides a service that allows you to ask your question to a community of professional researchers.. who will then quote a price for a personalized response.
