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About mind maps
Create a mind map to brainstorm your ideas. A mind map reflects what you think about a single topic and is usually created quickly or spontaneously.
At the beginning of your project you might use a mind map to explore your expectations or initial theories. Later on, mind maps can help to confirm the structure of your nodes.
You need NVivo for Mac (Version 11.2 or later) to work with mind maps.
In this topic
What are mind maps?
Mind maps are primarily a brainstorming tool that start with a central topic or main idea. Ideas that relate to the central topic are represented by an individual shape and connected with a line to the main idea. All ideas are connected in some way—either at the same level or in a hierarchy. Sometimes you might have an idea that doesn't seem to be connected to any other ideas—you can add this to the mind map as a floating idea.
To get started with a mind map, take one key concept or term and think of all the things that might be associated with it. Be fluid and don't censor your ideas as they flow. An idea might prompt other ideas to branch off it - they could be at the same level (sibling ideas) or go deeper into a concept (child ideas).
As an example, you could ask someone to interview you about your research topic. Note the key words and terms you use most—then select one of those terms to start your mind map.
When you create mind maps, save an image in your project journal and record your insights.
When should I create a mind map?
| At this stage of your project | Create a mind map to |
| Early on |
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| During analysis |
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Presenting results |
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Create nodes from mind maps
Once you've created a mind map, you can turn your ideas into theme nodes in your project. The structure of the mind map is used to create the node hierarchy.