Writing A Concept Map

By
Prof. Mohammad Saleh
Hassan
Ph.D., MSc., MHPE

Definition of Concept
Map
It is a schematic device for representing
a set of concept meanings embedded in
a framework of propositions (Novak)
It is two dimensional representations of
cognitive structures showing the
hierarchies and the interconnections of
concepts involved in a discipline or a
sub-discipline (Martin)

Example:
Smoking &
Occupation
Damage to
mucosa of
respiratory
tract
Decrease of
local immunity

Cough and
sputum

Severe
Cough and
difficult
respiration
More
sputum
and
narrowing
of bronchi

Chronic
conditio
n

What is the role of concept

map in PBL?
It allows students, both individually
and collaboratively, to represent
what is known in the form of a
cognitive model and provide a
framework for capturing internal
knowledge and making it explicit in a
visual, graphical form that can be
easily shared and examined

How to Construct Concept

Map:

- Make the concepts within circles or

boxes and connect them by labeled
lines (the label on the line tells how or in
what way the concepts are related)
- The starting point usually an explicit
focus question

Example:
What is the mechanism of severe cough and
difficult respiration?
Smoking &
Occupation
Allergic immune
reaction

Severe
Cough and
difficult
respiration

Damage to
mucosa of
respiratory
tract

More
sputum
and
narrowing
of bronchi

Decrease of
local immunity
Recurrent
infection
Cough and
sputum

Irregular
treatment

Chronic
conditio
n

Steps for making concept

map:
1- Identify a focus question that
addresses the problem, issues or
knowledge domain you wish to map
2-Rank-order the concepts by placing
the broadest and most inclusive idea
or the starting event at the top of the
map
3-Work down the list and add more
concepts as needed

Steps for making concept map (Cont.):

4- Begin to build your map by placing

the most inclusive, most general
concept(s) at the top or the starting
event
5- Select the two, three or four subconcepts to place under each general
concept
6- Connect the concepts by lines, label
the lines with one or a few linking words
e.g. which corresponds to, is
associated with, can cause, can be
determined by this is to show the links
between concepts

Steps for making concept map (Cont.):

7- Rework/refine the structure of the

map (editing)
8- After the initial concept map is
constructed look for cross-links
between concepts in different
sections of the map and label these
lines

More
editing
and
elaboratio
n with
more
knowledg
e

Example:
What is the mechanism of severe cough and
difficult respiration?

Allergic immune
reaction

Smoking &
Occupation

Severe
Cough and
difficult
respiration

Damage to
mucosa of
respiratory
tract

More
sputum
and
narrowing
of bronchi

Decrease of
local immunity
Recurrent
infection
Cough and
sputum

Irregular
treatment

Chronic
conditio
n