Question for chefs?

It will help a little, but not much.

The fastest ways to defrost anything (without "cooking" the exterior parts as with plain microwaving) are:

.... in a bowl of water but with a drip of water falling into it for convection (no need to change the water)--see below (could take 5-10 or even 25 min depending on thickness of frozen foods, etc)

.... in a microwave that has a special *Defrost setting* (time will depend on the thickness/size of the food, and what it is though)

** Meats, etc can be quickly defrosted by putting them in an air-tight bag of some kind (with the bag having as little air inside as possible), then putting that into a bowl of cool or even hot water*** large enough to accommodate the bag. Begin running just a trickle of cool water into the bowl which will keep the water in the bowl moving and create convection for quicker thawing --even cool water is still warmer than the frozen item so will defrost it. I put a folded bit of paper towel on one edge and trickle onto that to keep the dripping sound down. Once or twice, turn the meat over. (And if the meat is in thick stuck-together hunks, if possible begin to separate it into smaller hunks as it defrosts.)

*** http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/08/dining/a-hot-wat...

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The cold will transfer from the frozen meat to the metal so it will help thaw an item faster.

To help it thaw even faster run hot water over the metal dish then place the frozen item on the warmed dish or bowl.

They used to sell a metal plate that would "help thaw faster" so any metal will work. A heavier metal pan would work even better as it will transfer more cold than a thin metal one.

thaw frozen meat in water

That isn't so.The best way to defrost it is in the microwave on the defrost cycle or take it out the night before you need it &place it in the fridge.