This tutorial will provide the students with the ability to:

define what a concept map is
use concept maps to define, relate, and narrow topics
give examples of concept maps
create a concept map
locate resources providing information and illustrations of concept maps

Concept Maps are a way to graphically represent ideas and how they relate to each other. Concept maps may be simple designs illustrating a central theme and a few associated topics or complex structures that delineate hierarchical or multiple relationships. J.D. Novak developed concept maps in the 1970's to help facilitate the research process for his students. Novak found that visually representing thoughts helped students freely associate ideas without being blocked or intimidated by recording them in a traditional written format. Concept mapping involves defining a topic; adding related topics; and linking related ideas. These are important steps toward organizing research concepts and can help students formulate a research outline.

Because concept maps illustrate a central theme and related themes, using these maps help focus a topic and create search strategies.From a concept map, like the one illustrated on the death penalty it is possible to:

Narrow down your topic (e.g., death penalty and age)
Add a clarification term to focus the topic (e.g., death penalty and age and public opinion)
Create a search strategy using synonyms (e.g., death penalty or capital punishment; age or minimum age or juveniles; public opinion or public attitudes)

The concept map on Vincent Van Gogh would help you determine which idea to pursue (e.g., his biography, his mental health, or his art). You could then create a more detailed concept map once you have decided which aspect of Vincent Van Gogh you would like to investigate.

There are several types of concept maps: spider, hierarchy, and flow chart. Spider concept maps place the main topic in the center of the map and link related themes around it. An example of a spider concept map is:
Spider Concept Map Example

The Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) http://www.ihmc.us/...investigat(es) a broad range of topics related to understanding cognition in both humans and machines with a particular emphasis on building computational tools to leverage and amplify human cognitive and perceptual capacities." IHMC uses concept maps to illustrate cognitive relationships between ideas. The Institute has developed software to design and share concept maps.

In a hierarchical concept map, the most general or most important concept is placed at the top of the map and more specific, related topics are linked below it. The simple hierarchical concept map on Vincent Van Gogh was created using the IHMC CMAP Tools.
Hierarchical Concept Map Example

An example of a sophisticated hierarchical concept map is the one developed by CMEX at NASA using this sofware on Energy:
Another Hierarchical Concept Map Example

Another Hierarchical Concept Map Example

A flow chart is a type of concept map that represents a sequence or a process in a linear format. Flow charts are frequently used in businesses to analyze the steps involved in completing a task. For example, the following flow chart delineates the steps involved in returning a library book at UWF:
Flow Chart Example

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Here are some related resources that you can use if you'd like to learn more about this particular topic.

Alper, Sherman R., (2003) Abstraction in concept map and coupled outline knowledge representations. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, (19) 31.
Carnot, M. J., B. Dunn, A J. Cañas, P. Graham, J. Muldoon, (Manuscript in preparation), Concept Maps vs. Web Pages for Information Searching and Browsing.
Carvalho, M., R. Hewett, A. J. Cañas. (July 2001) Enhancing Web Searches from Concept Map-based Knowledge Models, SCI 2001: Fifth Multi-Conference on Systems, Cybernetics and Informatics, Orlando, FL .
Jonassen, D.H., Beissner, K. & Yacci, M.A.(1993) Structural knowledge: Techniques for conveying assessing, and acquiring structural knowledge. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (Q 387.2 J66)
Lawson, M.J. (1994) Concept Mapping. In T. Husen & T.N. Postlethwaite (Eds.), The international encyclopedia of education (2nd ed., Vol. 2, pp. 1026-1031). Oxford: Elsevier Science. (Ref. LB 15 I569)
Novak, J.D., (1991) Clarify with concept maps: A tool for students and teachers alike. Science Teacher,58(7)45-49. (Serials Q 181 S38)
Novak, J.D., (1993) Abstraction in concept map and coupled outline knowledge representations. Science Teacher, 60(3)50-55. (Serials Q 181 S38)
Novak, J.D., (1998) Learning, creating, and using knowledge concept maps as facilitative tools in schools and corporations. Available on NetLibrary.
Safayeni, F., Derbentseva, N, Cañas A. J. (Submitted for publication) Concept Maps: A Theoretical Note on Concepts and the Need for Cyclic Concept Maps.
Trochim, William M. (2004) Web Center for Social Science Research Methods. Concept Mapping Resource Guide. http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/mapping/mapping.htm
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, ACES 100, Discovery Web Site, "Introduction to Concept Maps." http://classes.aces.uiuc.edu/ACES100/Mind/CMap.html

Now it’s time to test what you’ve learned. Click here to test your knowledge. Be sure to print out your score or e-mail it to yourself or your instructor as proof that you have completed this tutorial.

Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) http://www.ihmc.us/

Mind Tools - Information Skills and MindMaps http://www.psychwww.com/mtsite/mindmaps.html

Novak, J.D., (1998) Learning, creating, and using knowledge concept maps as facilitative tools in schools and corporations. Available on NetLibrary.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, ACES 100, Discovery Web Site, "Introduction to Concept Maps." http://classes.aces.uiuc.edu/ACES100/Mind/CMap.html

Caroline Thompson

cthompson@uwf.edu

August 25, 2004