How to Research Expertise

How to Research ExpertiseIn a discussion with an expert in the field of professional coaching I came to understand the importance of good research questions in order to select and research an expert. You must be aware that an expert is not just the company or the person that the person works for but the person that he has developed himself through several processes of self-reflection and hence, when it comes to selecting an expert, you need to be careful with your selection.A research question should be a probing question that is not narrow but broad and helps the expert reflects on his experiences and develop his awareness. A good research question would reveal the extent of the interest the individual has for the subject of the interview. If he is interested in the topic then the chances are high that he will have many things to say about the subject.You should ask the question to get a reaction from the individual and hence he will be more than happy to share his views and thought s about the topic. It is always a good idea to be objective while asking the question. Never make any comments regarding his perception or beliefs. The interviewer can always use this observation to extract more information.In order to get the best from the interviewee, you should prepare the question before hand. All you have to do is prepare the questions that the individual will be asked. Once you have the questions prepared, it is important to consider all the points that need to be covered during the interview.A good research question should focus on the areas that the individual has knowledge about. For example, if the individual is a social science expert, then the question should contain the question regarding his academic expertise in the topic and if the answer is correct then the interviewee will definitely raise the subject of selling. Hence, the purpose of conducting the interview is not lost by engaging in the process of research.In order to identify and assess the int erests of the interviewee, the interviewer should prepare a good research question that will help him understand the professional goals of the individual. The individual's career goals and his current situation in the corporate world are also matters that need to be considered.An easy yet a simple research question might be one regarding what other experts that he has used and whether they were satisfied with the answers. He needs to be in a position to look at the other person's credentials and even try and verify some of their statements to make sure that the interviewer is being fair to the individual.You can also ask the individual if he has any professional development activities to attend or the work that he needs to concentrate on and whether he wants to adopt any new technology or to work in a particular sector. By asking these questions, you will be able to get a full view of the person's knowledge and abilities and hence the interview process will become more effective.