If the human mind was simple enough to understand, we'd be too simple to understand it.
(Emerson Pugh)

This chapter covers a variety of methods used to acquire and analyse knowledge. To explore the research aims described at the end of chapter 1, a number of particular questions will be addressed: What knowledge acquisition techniques exist that could be candidates for use in the Personal Knowledge Methodology? How is personal knowledge acquired and analysed in the most effective way to aid research? What can be learnt from knowledge engineering and psychological research to aid development of Personal Knowledge Techniques?

To examine these questions, the chapter covers two areas. First, methods used by knowledge engineers to acquire and analyse expert knowledge are described. Second, methods used by social psychologists to acquire and analyse various aspects of personal knowledge are covered, with a particular emphasis on qualitative methods.