Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Concept maps as tools for theory development


Concept mapping is used popularly as a tool to develop and clarify theory, since the task is a challenging one for scholars doing qualitative research.The tool was originally formed by Joseph Novak, to understand the learning methods of science, and later on as a tool to teach science. This tool is similar to the idea of conceptual framework. Dissertation Help Service can be taken to further understand the concept.

The concept map of a theory is a visual display of that theory, in other words, a picture of what the theory says in happening with the phenomenon that is being studied.These maps are not a specific part of the research design, or depict the study. Rather the concept map can be used to create a research design. A concept map consists of two elements: some variables and the relation between them. In a concept map, the elements are represented as boxes or circles, and the relation between them are reflected through straight lines drawn in the map. UK Dissertation Writing Help can be taken to make a perfect concept map.

There are mainly two reasons for creating a concept map. One is to implicitly show the meaning of the theory being used by the researcher, or clarify an existing theory that relates to the research phenomenon.The implications, its relevance and limitations of the theory can be known through the concept map. Another application of the concept maps is to develop a theory. When a theory is broken up into the various elements that it contains and these variables are interconnected, the weaknesses and gaps in the theory are revealed. It also gives an opportunity to develop the theory, in the best way that is suitable to the research. Both these purposes are solved through dissertation help, from which a researcher can benefit.

No comments:

Post a Comment