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What do you call the document that experts write?
noah little
33 Posts
(Offline)
1
2009/03/26 - 6:26am

This comes from a translation issue. You know that thing that experts write, like for a court case, a medical issue, or a scientific question? Some translations of the German word for this (Gutachten, Expertise) list "expertise" as the English term. German or French speakers like the term "expertise" since it's so close to the word used in their own language.

That just sounds weird to me. I think an expert has expertise, but writes an expert opinion, or a position. Not having run into that while "living in English" I can't be sure though. What do you use for that document written by an expert and used to express the expert's informed statement about an issue?

Merci!

Guest
2
2009/03/26 - 7:08am

I agree that using “expertise” to refer to the document sounds off to me. “Expert opinion” is good, but lacks the implication that a document is involved: expert opinions are often given verbally in court. I think a document of this nature (legal only) is called an “Amicus Curiae” brief — but this is not my field, so I may be wrong.

In business, “white paper” is often used to refer to an academic treatment of some topic. White papers are often on the short side, and on a specific issue, finding, or method (e.g. You might hear: “Here is a white paper on the causes of mistakes in data entry.”)

This is the Wikipedia article on white papers in general:
White Paper

So a lot depends on the context of the intent and use of the opinion document.

Guest
3
2009/03/26 - 1:06pm

I agree with Glan, that it would be called an "expert opinion." You can say that "this document (affidavit, report, etc.) contains an expert opinion," or that "this document was written by an expert." Or, "This document was written by Professor So-And-So, or Doctor So-And-So, or So-And-So, Ph.D., an expert in Economics, Forensic Medicine, Clinical Psychology, etc."

The best way to phrase it largely depends on the circumstances. More serious circumstances require more information about the document and the author.

Martha Barnette
San Diego, CA
820 Posts
(Offline)
4
2009/03/26 - 2:58pm

Yes, what these fellows said. "Expertise" is more abstract, referring to the expert's skills and knowledge, rather than a written document. Thanks as always, guys!

noah little
33 Posts
(Offline)
5
2009/03/27 - 10:21am

Thanks all, that makes sense to me. We're dealing with the scientific community here, so it would most likely be a professor writing an opinion on a policy issue where a scientist's input is called for.

Our challenge is that we're referring not to one specific document, but rather to this kind of document, as a type. So far we've used "expert opinion report", but that seems awkward sometimes. "Position paper" is another option I guess. Might have to get creative...

EmmettRedd
859 Posts
(Offline)
6
2009/03/27 - 10:41am

I think "white paper" really fits here as a type. "Position paper" or "opinion paper" are also good.

BTW, I hardly every hear of anything being referred to as an "essay" these days.

Emmett

Guest
7
2009/03/27 - 2:26pm

I hardly every hear of anything being referred to as an “essay” these days.

True enough, except for the annual edition of Best American Essays. But they must be getting those essays from somewhere?

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