Knowledge types

Knowledge types in science:

• Definitional knowledge
• Descriptive knowledge
• Explanatory knowledge
• Predictive knowledge
• Explanatory and predictive knowledge
• Prescriptive knowledge
• Ref

Definitional knowledge

Definitional knowledge consists of concepts, constructs, terms, definitions, classifications.

Definitional knowledge DOES NOT include statements about reality that are claimed to be true. Instead, definitional knowledge is used as a basis for all other types of knowledge in the sense that it provides the basic concepts that are required to express that knowledge.

Examples of definitional knowledge:

• A right triangle is a triangle in which one angle is a right angle
• A unicorn is a mythical creature depicted as a white horse with a large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead
• A relation is in third normal form, within relational database theory, if all of its attributes are dependent on the key, the whole key and nothing but the key
• Ref

Descriptive knowledge

Descriptive knowledge describes an existing or past reality.

In contrast to definitional knowledge, descriptive knowledge consists of statements that are claimed to be true. In other words, claims to describe the word “as is” or “have been”.