Concept map
Contents
Definition
Concept map is A hierarchical map that depicts relationships between its elements which are concepts.
Summary
Concept map are hierarchical maps which are created as the outcome of concept mapping process. Concept maps depict the relationships between a selected set of concepts using hierarchical links and cross-links whose meaning is explicitly described in the map.
Description
Concept maps are hierarchical maps whose elements are concepts. Concept map consists of the focus question, which sets the context for the map, the selected concepts, hierarchical links and cross-links with linking phrases which specify the relationship between the concepts.
The most general concepts are at the top of the concept map. The hierarchical links and cross-links are graphically represented by lines and the linking phrases are explicitly written on the map. Words on the line, referred to as linking words or linking phrases, specify the relationship between the two concepts. In addition to concepts and the hierarchical links between them, concepts maps may include cross-links which represents the relationships between different domains of the map. [1]
Concept maps can be used as tool for codifying, organizing and representing information or knowledge.
Creating a concept map
References
[1] Joseph D. Novak, Alberto J. Cañas, The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to Construct and Use Them, Technical Report IHMC CmapTools 2006-01 Rev 2008-01, http://cmap.ihmc.us/Publications/ResearchPapers/TheoryCmaps/TheoryUnderlyingConceptMaps.htm.
