Knowledge model

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Definition

A Knowledge model is A representation of knowledge used to understand and communicate an aspect of knowledge in the real world.

Summary

Numerous knowledge models exist to describe different important aspects of knowledge for the purposes of understanding and communication.

Description

There are a number of models which are commonly used in describing knowledge. The models emphasise different elements of knowledge and represent them at different levels of complexity.

In the same way that an automotive vehicle may be described in terms of many dimensions such as:

1. Materials: Metal, Rubber, Glass etc.
2. Components: Wheels, Engine, Passenger compartment, etc.
3. Colours : Black, Red, Grey etc.

So also can Knowledge be described in terms of a number of different dimensions such as:

1. Domains – technical, organisational, societal etc.
2. States – Explicit, implicit, tacit etc.
3. Levels – Know-why, know-how, know-what etc.
4. Representations – Documents, models, pictures etc.
5. Categories – Good practices, lessons, standards etc.
6. Artefacts – Buildings, tools, equipment, etc.

Some models illustrate only the major components of knowledge, others also illustrate systems, subsystems and even processes. This article describes some of those that have been used in IAEA publications in an ascending order of complexity.

The models can be classified into three major groups.

1. Component models: where knowledge is described as being composed of two or more parts
   1. this includes the Know-how, know-why models that list commonly asked questions that a knowledgeable person should be able to answer
2. Heirarchical models: where knowledge can be processed into different types with increasing rarity, value and quality
3. Subjugated models: where the definition of knowledge is narrowed and described as a subset of something more significant such as "Wisdom" or "Competence"

Component models

Tacit-Explicit spectrum models

Tacit, explicit knowledge model

This is similar to the Iceberg model of knowledge and is a popular representation of the relationship between explicit and tacit knowledge (the implict knowledge is subsumed under tacit knowledge, a simplification often found in the literature).

Tacit,implicit,non-codified explicit,codified explicit knowledge model

explicit, implicit and tacit. The top half of the diamond represents explicit knowledge — or conscious level knowledge — which has either already been codified or could be codified. The bottom half of the diamond represents unconscious knowledge — both implicit knowledge and tacit knowledge. The former can be codified if brought to the conscious level. However, the latter cannot be codified directly because it is at the deep-unconscious level.

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  Fig.0. Tacit - explicit spectrum models

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  Fig.1. Tacit - explicit spectrum model

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  Fig.2. Tacit, explicit knowledge model

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  Fig.3. Tacit,implicit,explicit knowledge model

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  Fig.4. Tacit,implicit, uncodified explicit,codified explicit knowledge model

A priori, a posteriori knowledge model

A priori knowledge is independent of experience. Comparable to Theoretical knowledge.

A posteriori knowledge is dependent on experience or empirical evidence. Comparable to Practical knowledge.

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  Fig.6. A priori, a posteriori knowledge model

Know-how, Know-why models

Know-why,know-how,know-what,know-who,know-when,know-where knowledge model

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  Fig.7. Know-why,know-how,know-what knowledge model

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  Fig.8. Know-why,know-how,know-what,know-who,know-when,know-where knowledge model

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  FIG. 9. Domains knowledge model

Domains knowledge model

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  FIG. 9. Domains knowledge model

Hierarchical models

Data, information, knowledge model

Raw data become information in the context of creation, information becomes knowledge in the context of use, meaning that a human agent with the appropriate background is required.

Data, information, knowledge, wisdom model

Raw data become information in the context of creation, information becomes knowledge in the context of use, meaning that a human agent with the appropriate background is required. Knowledge may eventually lead to wisdom.

Best practice, good practice, practice knowledge model

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  Fig.6. Data, information, knowledge model

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  Fig.7. Data, information, knowledge, wisdom model

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  Fig.8. Best practice, good practice, practice knowledge model

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  Fig n. Transformational actions for data, information and knowledge

Know-why,know-how,know-what knowledge model

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  Fig.9. Know-why,know-how,know-what knowledge model

Skills and Subjugated models

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  Fig.7. Data, information, knowledge, wisdom model

Competency,knowledge, skills, attitude knowledge model

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  Fig.10. Competency,knowledge, skills, attitude knowledge model

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  Fig.11. Declarative and procedural knowledge model

References

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