Go find investment forums/meetups like Zino Society, Keiretsu Forum, or whatever you have locally. Just attend and introduce yourself to people. Keep going back and have a simple business card to exchange information. Follow up via email. Just meet them first and talk about what your doing, but I would not bring a questionnaire for anyone to fill out at the networking events. Don't go with an agenda, just go to meet people and if your genuine you will find people genuinely interested in just helping (like me!). I don't have a PhD or Masters, but it sounds like you're asking how to network with people.