Step 2: Get your ideas down
You need to explore before you can settle on a topic. There
are many methods of getting your ideas down - listing, writing out in full your
understanding of your literature review, notes - any of these can be adapted to reach the
same outcome as the mind-map.
- Do a mind-map of a topic or complex question, based on what
you know already.
[a mind map on the topic of Zoo]
- Select the most relevant materials and keep adding to your
mind-map. As you are formulating your literature review, it may be more like a survey of
the main writers in your chosen field. As you proceed, you will need to include
comparisons, contrasts and criticisms (weighing up the strengths and weaknesses - not
criticising the author). You may need to keep rearranging the order until it falls into
place.
[a mind map of how to get your ideas down]
