“substantive knowledge” is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe knowledge or understanding that is substantial in depth and detail. For example, "He had a wealth of substantive knowledge on the topic."
"Secretary Leavitt picks people for their substantive knowledge, not their political leanings," Dr. Blumenthal said.
However, many in Parliament want him to offer candidates with substantive knowledge of the ministries they would lead.
One official said that the men had been captured months ago and were low ranking and that they had little substantive knowledge about Al Qaeda's operational planning.
Effective teaching about the Holocaust must provide young people with substantive knowledge and understanding, challenge popular misconceptions and confront difficult and profound questions.
Into the vacuum of substantive knowledge rush the unprincipled advertisements, the unctuous hucksters, the "super PACs," the Swift boating, the Sunday-morning-talk-show spin.
In either case the systems engineer obviously needs considerable substantive knowledge of the fields involved in order to make reliable plans.
By virtue of greater experience, mastery of detail, and organizational and substantive knowledge, professional bureaucrats may exercise strong influence over decisions made by their leaders.
"She did not express substantive knowledge as to the scope of the rights of corporations under the Constitution or jurisprudence on the constitutional limits of executive branch powers".
It is the clear policy of the state, as formulated by the Regents and S.E.D. [State Education Department], that all children can attain the substantive knowledge and master the skills expected of high school graduates.
