Concept Mapping in Research

Contents

Description

• Learn how to create concept maps for communicating and modeling ideas.
• The workshop will provide theoretical background, but mostly focus on providing participants with hands-on experiences with a variety of concept mapping tools for different aspects of research projects.
• Facilitators: Peter Donnan and James Neill
• Half-day workshop (3.5 hours)

Intro, theory, & examples

• Introductions
  • Each person to share research focus and concept mapping needs
• Theoretical session
  • (invite students at the beginning to try taking notes for the session "concept map" style - will help to stimulate ideas and practice as we go)
  • What is concept mapping?
  • Principles and theory
  • Applications in communicating theory and research
  • Lots of examples
    • http://del.icio.us/jtneill/conceptmapexample

Practical exercise

• • With paper & markers, draw a concept explaining your research question/study (or a part of it)
  • in pairs / small groups, share, ask questions, critique/feedback
  • On whiteboard, collectively map:
    • what works?
    • what doesn't?
  • Redesign own concept map, ready for electronic preparation

Break

Computer lab

• Software options
  • Microsoft office
    • Word
    • Powerpoint
  • Open Office
    • Draw
  • Dedicated, stand-alone concept mapping programs
    • Inspiration
    • CMAPs
    • More (link)
  • Online tools
    • Web 2.0 / collaborative tools
    • More (link)
• Technical issues
  • Image types
    • png, jpg, gif
    • Black & white vs. colour
• Final exercise
  • Using any of the suggested software options, create a concept map depicting your research question/study (or part of it, e.g., a model)
  • Goal - a professional concept map, exported as a png file