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Create a Concept Map for Your Topic

What is a concept map?

Concept maps help you begin to think about your topic and create a search strategy. They include the key concepts associated with your topic, alternative terminology for these concepts, and the relationships between the various aspects of your topic.

Why use a concept map?

A concept map allows you to brainstorm your topic by identifying what you already know about your topic and make you aware of gaps in your knowledge.
The concept map provides you with the opportunity to think of your topic in new ways.

What does a concept map include?

• The main topic idea in the center of the map with other aspects of your topic surrounding it (your keywords).
• Alternative terminology (keywords) to describe your topic should be included for each keyword.
• The relationships of the various aspects of your topic to each other.

If the focus of your research question/topic is:
Do video games cause violent behavior in children?

Your concept map might look like this:

Print a concept map to use in your research.

See a sample concept map.

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Last modified by: Susan Avery on 9/28/12