How can Mind Mapping be Used when Undertaking Research?
Mind Maps are a popular technique invented (and copyrighted) by Tony Buzan in the UK in the late 1960s. He describes mind maps as "a mind map consists of a central word or concept, around the central word you draw the 5 to 10 main ideas that relate to that word. You then take each of those words and again draw the 5 to 10 main ideas that relate to each of those words."
Similar to a road map, a Mind Map will:
- give you an overview of a large subject/area
- enable you to plan routes/make choices and let you know where you are going and where you have been
- gather and hold large amounts of data for you
- encourage problem solving by showing you new creative pathways
enable you to be extremely efficient
- be enjoyable to look at, read, muse over and remember
- attract and hold your eye/brain
- let you see the whole picture and the details at the same time
- assist you
A Mind Map is a way of organising something, an area of information.
Mind Maps abandon the list format of conventional note-taking. They do this in favour of a two-dimensional structure. A good Mind Map shows the 'shape' of the subject, the relative importance of individual points and the way in which one fact relates to other. Mind Maps are more compact than conventional notes, often taking up one side of paper. This helps you to make associations easily. If you find out more information after you have drawn the main Mind Map, then you can easily integrate it with little disruption.
Mind Maps are also useful for:
- summarising information
- consolidating information from different research sources
- thinking through complex problems and presenting information that shows the overall structure of your subject.
A Mind Map uses words, lines, logic, colours, images, and even sounds to stimulate your brain. It has four important characteristics:
1. The subject is represented by a central image.
2. The main themes of the subject radiate from the central image as main branches.
3. Minor themes are linked to the main themes.
4. All the branches are connected forming a nodal structure.
Mind Mapping is applicable in working life and are used around the world. A Mind Map can be used for keeping notes, or for developing a concept, or for getting an overview of an activity. It is both rational and artistic, both logically ordered and spontaneously expressive.
Mind Maps use and stimulate the visual abilities of the mind. If represented visually, a bigger subject can be understood and remembered much more efficiently. Mind Maps are an example of Radiant Thinking. A central idea branches off into many different directions. The branches themselves branch off into finer details or associations. Radiant Thinking is both Creative and Organised. Like a tree. A Mind Map is not just a systematic chart of a subject. It is a fun and interesting expression of the way a subject is experienced. It is more important that it is workable and feels right than that it corresponds to any objective standards. Mind Maps are a tool for making sense out of anything and for realising one's priorities.
Anything can be mind mapped. A birthday party, a book you are reading, your plans for the day, flower arranging, the economy, the meaning of life, or your experience of a piece of music. (Reference: "The Mind Map Book" by Tony Buzan.)
How to Mind Map
- Use just key words, or wherever possible images.
- Start from the centre of the page and work out.
- Make the centre a clear and strong visual image that depicts the general theme of the map.
- Create sub-centres for sub-themes.
- Put key words on lines. This reinforces structure of notes.
- Print rather than write in script. It makes them more readable and memorable. Lower case is more visually distinctive (and better remembered) than upper case.
- Use colour to depict themes, associations and to make things stand out.
- Anything that stands out on the page will stand out in your mind.
- Try and think three-dimensionally.
- Use arrows, icons or other visual aids to show links between different elements.
- Don't get stuck in one area. If you dry up in one area go to another branch.
- Put ideas down as they occur, wherever they fit. Don't judge or hold back.
- Break boundaries. If you run out of space, don't start a new sheet; paste more paper onto the map.
- Be creative. Creativity aids memory.
- Get involved. Have fun.
Mind Maps are very important techniques for improving the way you take notes. By using Mind Maps you show the structure of the subject and linkages between points, as well as the raw facts contained in normal notes. Mind Maps hold information in a format that your mind will find easy to remember and quick to review.
Mind Maps are also very quick to review - it is easy to refresh information in your mind just by glancing at one.
Mind Maps can also be effective mnemonics - remembering the shape and structure of a Mind Map can provide the cues necessary to remember the information within it. They engage much more of the brain in the process of assimilating and connecting facts than conventional notes.
Your Mind Maps are your own property. Once you understand how to assemble the basic structure you can develop your own coding and conventions to take things further, for example to show linkages between facts.
