Concept Mapping
You can start with a concept map to define your topic, or use the words generated during your brainstorming to create a concept map. Concept maps may be elaborate or simple and are designed to help you organize your thinking about a topic, recognize where you have gaps in your knowledge, and help to generate specific questions that may guide your research.
Combining brainstorming and concept mapping can be a productive way to begin your thinking about a topic area, and to strengthen your research question or thesis statement.
Here is an example of what a concept map of the topic “Drugs and crime” might look like:
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con•cept map•ping
noun phrase
1. A process, focused on a topic, in which group or individual brainstorming produces a visual graphic that represents how the creator(s) thinks about a subject, topic, etc. It illustrates how knowledge is organized for the group or individual.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000
Activity: Concept Map
Activity: Concept Mapping Exercise
