Concept map
Contents
Definition
A Concept map is A hierarchical map that depicts relationships between its elements which are concepts.
Description
Concept maps [1] 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 relationships between the concepts.
Structure of concept map
Concept maps are hierarchical maps 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.
In a concept map, hierarchical links depict the hierarchical relationships between the concepts. A concept map may also include so-called cross links which represent the relationships between different domains of the map. Words explicitly written on the links, referred to as linking words or linking phrases, specify the relationship between the two concepts.
An example of a concept map is given in Fig. 1
Benefits of concept maps
Concept maps can be used as tool for codifying, organizing and representing information or knowledge.
Creating a concept map
Creating a concept map is described in this article
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.
