Concept map
Contents
Definition
Concept map is A hierarchical map that depicts relationships between its elements which are concepts.
Summary
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 and hierarchical links and cross-links with linking phrases which specify the relationship between the concepts.
Description
Structure of concept map
Concept maps are hierarchical with the most general concepts located at the top or center of the map. Context of a concept map is set by the focus question which defines the problem which the concept map should provide an answer to.
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.
Source: Reference [1]
Benefits of concept maps
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.
