During the course of their professional careers, experts gain extensive insights into their subject matter. These insights are based on their unique perspective and experience, and can be useful in developing persuasive arguments. When combined with statistical evidence, expert opinions can strengthen a claim’s credibility. However, leveraging them effectively requires careful consideration.
Whether in the courtroom or on a scientific paper, expert opinion is an essential part of any argument. It is often used to bolster the credibility of an expert witness’ testimony or to add a layer of depth and support to an academic paper.
A key challenge of using expert opinions is that they are often less rigorously vetted than the data they are based on. This can make them susceptible to bias and inaccuracies, particularly when multiple experts are involved in an assessment.
As a result, evaluating the quality of expert opinions is critical when using them in research or for legal purposes. The quality of an expert’s opinion can be judged by the degree to which they agree with other experts in their field. In the courtroom, expert opinions must meet strict standards to be admissible as evidence in a case. This is largely due to the fact that the expert’s statements will be scrutinized by opposing counsel during cross-examination.
As a medical writer, you may come across requests for expert opinion articles in your work. These manuscripts are different from narrative reviews or consensus statements, and present an author’s perspective based on their clinical experience.