By Sharon Whitfield

Mind mapping tools allows students to map a complex set of relationships. Through the mapping process, students are more likely to understand, remember and analyze those relationships (Davies, 2011). There is also empirical evidence that demonstrates that maps allow information to be more usable and more easily processed (Davies, 2011). Mapping has been used in a variety of disciplines, including finance, economics, marketing and medicine (Davies, 2011).

Mapping may also be used as a great instructional tool to teach individuals how to conduct a literature search (Rowley & Slack, 2004). Students can utilize the map to expand their search terms; plan their next search statement and visualize search terms and theory relationships. Prior to using mind mapping for literature search, students should explore mind mapping techniques, such as line thickness, desired colors, pictures and how relationships will be diagrammed. Buzan and Buzan (2000) made the following recommendations when mind mapping:

1. Use emphasis through images and varying the size of the print.

2. Use association by color coding search terms that may use the OR search operator in the search.

3. Be clear. Use line thickness to determine central themes and only place one word on each line.

4. Use hierarchy. Hierarchy helps to identify major search terms and minor search terms.

5. Develop a personal style. Allow the student to determine how the mind map will allow them to formulate the search strategy.

While students may draw out a mind map using a pencil and paper, there is a variety of software that may be used to construct the mind map. Below is a sample list of available software:

• Text2MindMap

  • Requires an account

  • Free

• Coggle

  • Requires an account

  • Free

• Bubbl

  • Requires an account

  • Only 3 Mind Maps are free

• Popplet

  • Only available for the iPad (Cost $5)

There are also mind mapping blogs that help you to explore mind mapping strategies:

• Mind Mapping Strategies

• Learning Fundamentals on Mind Mapping

• Mind Mapping software

For more information about mind mapping check out these LibGuides:

·Emory: Productivity Tools for Graduate Students: Create Mind Maps

·UMASS Amherst

·Florida Atlantic University: Mind Mapping

References

Davies, M. (2011). Concept mapping, mind mapping and argument mapping: what are the differences and do they matter?. Higher education, 62(3), 279-301.

Rowley, J., & Slack, F. (2004). Conducting a literature review. Management Research News, 27(6), 31-39.

Sharon Whitfield is the Emerging Technologies Librarian at Rown University.