Concept Mapping as a Method of Analysis and Visualization of Frames

Abstract

In this article, we present an adaptation of the cognitive-psychological method of concept mapping (NOVAK & GOWIN, 1984), which can be used both as a supplement or an alternative to established social-scientific methods of exploring sociological frames. Concept mapping is a visualisation-based method by which the structure of various concepts and frames, or the elements that condition frames, can be revealed. As such, researchers can apply concept mapping as a tool for analysis, or for visualizing the results of their analysis.

In order to meet the requirements of qualitative social research, concept mapping needs to follow rules. We present a guideline to ensure that concept maps can be created from individual discourse contributions in a step-by-step fashion, where each contribution is a unit of analysis. Meta-concept maps are then created from these maps by interpreting and merging the obtained data in order to visualize the frames of multiple discourse contributions. This guideline is designed to be adaptable to different research interests. We demonstrate how this method may be applied with reference to two research examples which are currently being carried out in history didactics research projects.