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Concept Map: Plan Your Research

Student Before You Start 3:10

Learning Outcomes

A concept map helps you build on what you know, create new connections, and organize your research. After using this tutorial, you will be able to define concept mapping and create one for your research.

How to Make a Visual Concept Map

Step 1

Begin by putting your topic in a center bubble.

A single dark green rounded bubble containing white text: Main Topic

Step 2

Then, branch off of your main point to other connected sections. One way to organize this is to divide sections by things you know, things you do not know, key terms, and questions you have.

Concept map showing Main Topic connected to four branches: Things You Know, Things You Don't Know, Questions Related to Your Topic, and Key Terms

Step 3

Continue to branch off from your bubbles and add connected thoughts. Branch off from these as much as you are able to make your map complete!

Fully developed concept map with Main Topic center bubble, four labeled main branches each with multiple empty green sub-bubbles showing where additional thoughts can be added

Sample Visual Concept Map

A student who has worked in ice cream shops before and is very familiar with the steps of making ice cream is interested in doing a research project on ice cream businesses and made this visual concept map to brainstorm.

Ice Cream Shops concept map. Center: Ice Cream Shops. Top-left branch: Things I Know, with sub-bubbles Big Chains and Production Process. Top-right branch: Things I Don't Know, with sub-bubbles Chemistry, Ice Cream Trucks, and Pricing Factors (which has sub-bubbles Small Business Success and Seasonal Supply and Demand). Bottom-right branch: Questions Related to My Topic, with sub-bubbles about ice cream health, consumer behavior, and alternatives (which has sub-bubbles Dairy-free Ice Creams and Mochi). Bottom-left branch: Key Terms, with sub-bubbles Market, Consumer, Competitive Advantage, and Dessert.

How to Make a Word-Based Concept Map

Step 1

Write your topic at the top of the page.

Step 2

Then, list out other connected sections of your concept map as outline headers. One way to organize this is to divide sections by things you know, things you do not know, key terms, and questions you have.

Step 3

Underneath each header of your outline, add more connected thoughts. Branch off from these as much as you are able to make your map complete!

Sample Word-Based Concept Map

A student who has worked in ice cream shops before and is very familiar with the steps of making ice cream is interested in doing a research project on ice cream businesses and made this word-based concept map to brainstorm.

Ice Cream Shops

  1. I. Things I Know
    • A. Big chains
    • B. Production process
  2. II. Things I Don't Know
    • A. Chemistry
    • B. Ice cream trucks
    • C. Pricing factors
      1. Seasonal supply & demand
      2. Small business success
  3. III. Questions Related to My Topic
    • A. Ice cream health impacts?
    • B. What influences people to go out for ice cream?
    • C. How do ice cream alternatives impact shops?
      1. Dairy-free ice creams
      2. Mochi
  4. IV. Key Terms
    • A. Market
    • B. Consumer
    • C. Competitive advantage
    • D. Dessert

More Resources

If you have questions or need more help, review our other tutorials on research basics or reach out to us through Ask a Librarian.