INTRODUCTION
General
Web
Presentations
RESEARCH
Papers
Whitepapers
Case Studies
PRACTICE
Knowledge Base
Online Help
Tutorial
Training
Worksheets
Download Software
Install Software
Start
Search
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INTRODUCTORY
MATERIALS
General Reading.
A good place to start learning about concept mapping is by
doing some reading of the primary background articles. Here are some
of the "classic" articles that are a good starting point:
 | Trochim, W. (1989).
An
introduction to concept mapping for planning and evaluation. In W. Trochim (Ed.) A Special Issue of Evaluation and Program
Planning, 12, 1-16. |
| Trochim, W. (1989).
Concept
mapping: Soft science or hard art?
In W. Trochim (Ed.) A Special Issue of Evaluation and Program
Planning, 12, 87-110. |
| Trochim, W.
Reliability of Concept
Mapping. Paper
presented at the Annual Conference of the American Evaluation
Association, Dallas, Texas, November, 1993. |
Web Page
Introductions. There are also several good introductory web pages
available for the beginner:
There are two major websites that act as major resources
on concept mapping:
Concept
Systems Incorporated
This is, of course, the primary website and the only
one from which you can download the software and obtain information
about licensing and training. There are numerous papers, case studies,
and a comprehensive Knowledge Base that covers both the group process
and software. The site emphasizes applications and examples from
corporate and for-profit contexts.
Center
for Social Research Methods
A good general resource in applied social research and
evaluation, the site includes numerous concept mapping papers and
projects, primarily emphasizing the more scholarly basis of concept
mapping and its application in basic research, public and not-for-profit
contexts.
Presentations. You
can view the Concept
System Introductory Tour. The tour provides an
overview of the Concept System software and briefly describes the steps in
the process.
Introduction to Concept Mapping Presentation in San Diego, January 13,
2005.
PRACTICE
Knowledge Base and Online
Help. The entire Concept System help file is
on the web as the Concept System Knowledge Base. This web version is
identical to the full context-sensitive help system that ships with the
Concept System program. It is the equivalent of two entire books of
information and hyperlinked together, one describing the concept mapping
process issues and the other explaining how to use the software. You
should examine this resource and, once you have downloaded and installed
the program, you should get into the habit of hitting the F1 key when
you're in the Concept System and need or want context-sensitive
assistance. the web version is at:
http://www.conceptsystems.com/kb/cshelp.php
Tutorial. From
the software download page (see above) you can also download a detailed
tutorial that has hands-on lessons showing you how to use the software.
The tutorial uses the Strategic Planning Example that is automatically
installed with the program. Training Concept Systems Incorporated
regularly offers comprehensive introductory facilitator training as well
as a variety of advanced training programs. You can find out about
training at:
http://www.conceptsystems.com/About/training.php
Training. Concept Systems
Incorporated regularly offers comprehensive introductory facilitator
training as well as a variety of advanced training programs. You can find
out about training at:
http://www.conceptsystems.com/About/training.php
Worksheets. Here are an
assortment of worksheets you can use in preparing and managing a Concept
System project. These are all in Microsoft Word for Windows, v6 format:
http://www.conceptsystems.com/download/download.php
Downloading. The
full Concept System program can be downloaded at no charge from the
Concept Systems Incorporated website. In order to download, you are
required first to fill out a brief online form requesting basic
identification information. The form is at
http://www.conceptsystems.com/About/contact.php
When you complete the form, the download page will be
displayed. You can download the program as a single 4.7M file or as four
separate disk images. From that page you can also download the one-disk
Concept System Remote program. This is also included in the full download.
the only reason you might want to download the Remote program separately
is if you intend to have your users/participants enter their data using
the Remote and you would like to have the separate install (so your users
don't need the full 4-disk installation or large single file).
Installing. The
Concept System can be installed on any Windows 3.1, 95, or NT machine.
Please note: The Concept System does not work with any Macintosh machines.
To install the program follow the usual software
installation procedures. If you downloaded the single file you now have a
file on your machine named csinstal.exe. If you navigate to this file and
double-click on it the installation program will start. If you downloaded
the four disk images, you should be sure you put them into the same
directory. You can either copy each image to its own initialized disk or
leave them on your hard disk and install directly from them. The four
files are setup.exe, setup.w02, setup.w03 and setup.w04. If you navigate
to setup.exe and double-click on it, the setup program will start. As long
as all four files are in the same directory the setup will run correctly.
Of course, if you transfer the four files to their own floppy disks you
should start by inserting the disk with setup.exe on it. You will then be
prompted for the remaining three disks.
The install program automatically installs one
already-completed example project, Strategic Planning Example. You can
explore this example and learn how to use the program on it. In order to
access the example, you need to start the Concept System program and
select the Strategic Planning Example (it will be the only project listed
if you just installed the program). You will be presented with a logon
box. In order to log onto the project you will need to use the following
username and password:
Username: Admin
Password: concept
Please note that the login is context sensitive, so you
must type the username with a capital 'A' and lowercase 'dmin' and the
password must be in all lowercase.
Starting. When you are
ready to use The Concept System on a project of your own, you will need to
obtain a license. You can find information about licensing at:
http://www.conceptsystems.com/software/license.php
Look over the various licensing options and decide which
one is right for you.
To actually start the project, start the New Project
program that you installed when you installed The Concept System. On the
start-up screen you will see a Code Entry Number and next to it will be a
Save button. Click on the Save button (to make sure that the next time you
start the program you'll have the same Code Entry Number!) and write down
your Code Entry Number. Then, contact Concept Systems Inc., to arrange for
payment, and obtain an Unlock Code for the license you want. You can call
Concept Systems Inc. with your Code Entry Number at (607) 272-1206 between
9am and 5pm Eastern Standard Time, or e-mail us with your Code Entry
Number and payment information at Concept Systems (infodesk@conceptsystems.com)
anytime. Once you've arranged for payment, you'll be given an Unlock Code
that you enter into the appropriate box in the New Project program that
will allow you to start your own concept mapping project.
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RESEARCH
Papers. Many of the major
papers are available on the web. The major references for concept mapping
and pattern matching by the presenting author (with web location, where
appropriate) are:
| Trochim, W., Milstein, B. Wood, B., Jackson, S. and
Pressler, V. (2004).
Setting Objectives for Community and Systems Change: An Application of
Concept Mapping for Planning a Statewide Health Improvement Initiative,
Health Promotion Practice, 5, 1, 8-19. |
| Trochim, W. Stillman, F., Clark, P.,
and Schmitt, C. (2003). Development of a Model of the Tobacco Industry’s
Interference with Tobacco Control Programs. Tobacco Control, 12, 140-147. |
| Jackson,
K. and Trochim, W. (2002).
Concept mapping as an alternative approach for the
analysis of open-ended survey responses. Organizational Research Methods, Vol. 5
No. 4, October, 307-336. |
| McLinden, D. J. & Trochim,
W.M.K. (1998).
From Puzzles to Problems: Assessing the Impact of Education in a
Business Context with Concept Mapping and Pattern Matching. In J.
Phillips (Ed.), Evaluation Systems and Processes. Alexandria, VA:
American Society for Training and Development. |
| McLinden,
D. J. & Trochim, W.M.K. (1998).
Getting to parallel: Assessing the return on expecations of training. Performance Improvement, 37, 8, 21-26. |
| Witkin,
B. and Trochim, W. A (1997)
Toward a synthesis of listening constructs: a concept map
analysis. International Journal of Listening, 11, 69-87. |
| Kolb, D. & Shepherd, D.. (1997). Concept Mapping
Organizational Cultures. Journal of Management Inquiry: 6 (4).
282-295. |
| Michalski, G. (1997). Stakeholder
Variation in Perceptions About Training Program Results and
Evaluation: A Concept Mapping Investigation.Paper presented at
the Annual Conference of the American Evaluation Association, Atlanta,
San Diego, November, 1997. |
| SenGupta, S. (1996). Concept
Mapping and Pattern Matching in Integrated Mental Health Service
Delivery. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the American
Evaluation Association, Atlanta, Georgia, November, 1996. |
| Shern, D.L., Trochim, W. and LaComb, C.A. (1995). The
use of concept mapping for assessing fidelity of model transfer: An
example from psychiatric rehabilitation. Evaluation and Program
Planning, 18, 2. |
| Trochim, W. (1996). Criteria
for evaluating graduate programs in evaluation. Evaluation News
and Comment: The Magazine of the Australasian Evaluation Society, 5,
2, 54-57. |
| Trochim, W., Cook, J. and Setze, R. (1994). Using
concept mapping to develop a conceptual framework of staff's views of
a supported employment program for persons with severe mental illness.
Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62, 4, 766-775. |
| Trochim, W. Reliability
of Concept Mapping. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of
the American Evaluation Association, Dallas, Texas, November,
1993. |
| Trochim, W. and Cook, J. (1992). Pattern
matching in theory-driven evaluation: A field example from psychiatric
rehabilitation. in H. Chen and P.H. Rossi (Eds.) Using Theory to
Improve Program and Policy Evaluations, Greenwood Press, New York,
49-69. |
| Trochim, W. (Ed.) (1989). A
Special Issue of Evaluation and Program Planning on Concept Mapping
for Planning and Evaluation, 12. This is a full volume devoted to
concept mapping. It includes the following articles:
| Trochim, W. (1989). An introduction to concept
mapping for planning and evaluation. In W. Trochim (Ed.) A Special
Issue of Evaluation and Program Planning, 12, 1-16. |
| Caracelli, V. (1986). Structured
conceptualization: A framework for interpreting evaluation
results. Evaluation and Program Planning. 12, 1, 45-52. |
| Cooksy, L. (1989). In the eye of the beholder:
Relational and hierarchical structures in conceptualization.
Evaluation and Program Planning. 12, 1, 59-66. |
| Davis, J. (1989). Construct validity in
measurement: A pattern matching approach. Evaluation and Program
Planning. 12, 1, 31-36. |
| Dumont, J. (1989). Validity of multidimensional
scaling in the context of structured conceptualization. Evaluation
and Program Planning. 12, 1, 81-86. |
| Galvin, P.F. (1989). Concept mapping for planning
and evaluation of a Big Brother/Big Sister program. Evaluation and
Program Planning. 12, 1, 53-58. |
| Keith, D. (1989). Refining concept maps:
Methodological issues and an example. Evaluation and Program
Planning. 12, 1, 75-80. |
| Linton, R. (1989). Conceptualizing feminism:
Clarifying social science concepts. Evaluation and Program
Planning. 12, 1, 25-30. |
| Keith, D. (1989). Refining concept maps:
Methodological issues and an example. Evaluation and Program
Planning. 12, 1, 75-80. |
| Mannes, M. (1989). Using concept mapping for
planning the implementation of a social technology. Evaluation and
Program Planning. 12, 1, 67-74. |
| Marquart, J.M. (1989). A pattern matching
approach to assess the construct validity of an evaluation
instrument. Evaluation and Program Planning. 12, 1, 37-44. |
| Trochim, W. (1989). Concept mapping: Soft science
or hard art? In W. Trochim (Ed.) A Special Issue of Evaluation and
Program Planning, 12, 87-110. |
|
| Trochim, W. (1989).
Outcome pattern matching and
program theory. Evaluation and Program Planning, 12, 4, 355-366. |
| Gurowitz, W.D., Trochim, W. and Kramer, H.
(1988). A process for planning. The Journal of the National Association of Student
Personnel Administrators, 25, 4, 226-235. |
| Trochim, W. (1987) Pattern matching and program
theory. In P.H. Rossi and H. Chen (Eds.), Special Issue on
Theory-Driven Evaluation. Evaluation and Program Planning. |
| Trochim, W. and Linton, R. (1986).
Conceptualization for evaluation and planning. Evaluation and
Program Planning, 9, 289-308. |
| Trochim, W. (1985).
Pattern matching, validity and
conceptualization in program evaluation. Evaluation Review, 9, 5,
575-604. |
Several of the more useful references for the
statistical analysis in concept mapping include:
| Anderberg, M.R. (1973). Cluster analysis for
applications. New York, NY: Academic Press. |
| Davison, M.L. (1983). Multidimensional Scaling. New
York, NY: John Wiley and Sons. |
| Everitt, B. (1980). Cluster Analysis (2nd Edition).
New York, NY: Halsted Press, A Division of John Wiley and Sons. |
| Kruskal, J.B. and Wish, M. (1978). Multidimensional
scaling. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications. |
| Rosenberg, S. and Kim, M.P. (1975). The method of
sorting as a data-gathering procedure in multivariate research.
Multivariate Behavioral Research, 10, 489-502. |
| Weller, S.C. and Romney, A.K. (1988). Systematic Data
Collection. Beverly Hills, California: Sage Publications. |
Whitepapers. These
are unpublished lengthier pieces on technical or theoretical aspects of
the Concept System and its process. A number of these can be accessed off
the Concept Systems Incorporated website at:
http://www.conceptsystems.com/library/whitepapers.php
In addition, there are also the following whitepapers,
special reports and unpublished monographs:
|
The Evaluator as Cartographer: Technology for Mapping Where We're Going
and Where We've Been. Keynote presentation to the 1999 Conference of
the Oregon Program Evaluators Network, "Evaluation and Technology: Tools
for the 21st Cenury", Portland, Oregon, October 8, 1999.
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| Trochim, W.
Developing an
Evaluation Culture in International Agriculture Research. Invited
address presented at the Cornell Institute on International Food,
Agriculture and Development's (CIIFAD) workshop on the Assessment of
International Agricultural Research Impact for Sustainable development,
Cornell University, Ithaca NY, June 16-19, 1991. |
| Trochim, W. An Internet-Based Concept Mapping of
Accreditation Standards for Evaluation. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the
American Evaluation Association, Atlanta, Georgia, November, 1996. |
| Trochim, W.
Reliability of Concept Mapping. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the American
Evaluation Association, Dallas, Texas, November, 1993. |
| Trochim, W., Dumont, J. and Campbell, J. (1993).
Mapping mental health outcomes from
the perspective of consumers/survivors. NASMHPD Technical Reports Series, National
Association of Mental Health Program Directors, Alexandria VA. |
| Trochim, W. (1993).
Workforce Competencies for Psychosocial Rehabilitation Workers: A
Concept Mapping Project. Final report for the conference of the
International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services,
Albuquerque, new mexico, November 11-12, 1993. |
Case Studies. You can
view a wide variety of case studies of concept mapping applications at:
http://www.conceptsystems.com/Consult/CaseStudies/All.php
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visually organize the ideas
of a group or organization
use multivariate methods within a participatory
mixed-methods approach
web-based synchronous or asynchronous participation
with standard browsers
dramatically reduce the amount of time spent in
meetings
get a clearer picture of what people think
engage the organization in knowledge sharing
communicate ideas and build consensus
analyze needs and assess outcomes
measure performance over time
link planning and action to the strategic goals of
the organization
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