The instrument selected for this research was a questionnaire survey. Interviews were not used as a research method because KM is still in its infancy in the AEC industry as well as the QS profession. Further, the cases where QS firms have deployed KM are limited, so it may be too early and difficult to discuss KM in depth through interviews. Another advantage of using a questionnaire survey compared with interviews is that it is easier to reach a large number of respondents and obtain a generalized view of the situation in the profession. In addition, questionnaires are more anonymous than interviews and can usually be filled in when it is convenient for the respondent. There is also the advantage that no interviewer bias is introduced.

Questionnaires were sent to QSs in QS consultancy firms by mail. These included QSs in Hong Kong and the UK. This study explores how knowledge is managed within the QS profession, which has not been examined previously by other researchers.