Using a Concept Map

Often developing a good, workable research question is the most challenging part of a writing project.  One way to approach finding your question when you have only a general topic is to create a concept map.

What Is a Concept Map?

A concept map helps you organize your ideas by taking a broad topic and visually breaking it down into smaller topics, while finding connections between related concepts. 

Watch

Watch this 4 minute video to see an example of concept mapping for developing your research.

Practice

Practice by building a quick concept map using the topic “Climate Change”.  What might be a few sub-topics? Can you divide it further and come up with a narrow, answerable, research question? Did your map uncover useful keywords?