Brainstorming: Mind Maps
What are "mind maps"?
A mind map is an organic plan that does not require strict structure to help you take everything you know about a topic and mold the information into a visual diagram. The information you might jot down can be what you already know about the topic through the news, social media, conversations with friends and colleagues, previous classes you have taken, etc. Mind maps are especially helpful to narrow OR broaden your topic (e.g., "postpartum depression" can be narrowed down to the "effectiveness of education programs in reducing postpartum depression").
Mind Maps can also help you think of useful keywords to type into a search bar when looking for articles on library databases or Google Scholar. Keywords can be anything such as:
- Organizations (ex: CDC, National Head Start Association)
- Groups of people (ex: LGBTQ+ teens, infants, parents, high school students)
- Key people (ex: Maria Montessori, Erik Erikson)
- Locations (a specific region of the U.S.? Are international studies acceptable?)
- Dates (Important dates that relate to your topic and publication dates)
- Specialized Keywords (Any terms that are mainly used in your subfield or topic, not common terms)
Example Mind Map:
You can make a mind map on anything, such as an online app or on a piece of paper; it doesn't have to look perfect! Check out the following page to learn more about online mind mapping tools: Helpful Apps
