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Advice needed on concept mapping software
  • Hello all,

    I am a linguistics researcher, and know very little about software.  I am using a particular language analysis model that requires complex diagrams that look like concept mapping diagrams.  I need a software to draw these diagrams, as I'm fed up with Powerpoint.

    Requirements:
    - that the nodes can hold a title, which can be clicked on the reveal a box with a substantial list of phrases (whether this is a text box, or 'child' nodes, I don't mind.
    - that a phrase (maybe a child node) can link BACK to an earlier parent node as well as forward. I found that Freemind is unidirectional
  • More requirements: 
    -That individual words or phrases within the list can link to a new concept box, or even a previous one.

    -mac compatible.

    -can be used for academic presentations.

    Desirables: free or inexpensive

    Not necessary to be able to create the diagram with a remote user. It's simple for work at home, inclusion of maps in thesis (Word/Scrivener) and use in academic presentations.

    Hope someone can advise! Thanks
  • vicforumvicforum
    I can suggest a few mappers to look at. Whether any work out will depend on just how you want the requirements to appear.

    The click-to-reveal-list requirement isn't too hard, but "individual words or phrases within the list can link to a new concept box" means that your list will almost certainly have to be a list of separate nodes.   You may be able to do something with hyperlinks that link to another map.

    Cmap is the classic concept mapper and can accept two-way links and cross links (i.e. outside a tree hierarchy).  

    Others you could look at are VUE and Compendium.

    You could also look at Prezi.  This allows for deep zooming, meaning your list could be so small it becomes visible only on zooming in.  It is not a concept mapper, but is designed for presentations that get away from the PowerPoint model.  It is very flexible and map like without actually being a mapping tool.  The problem with this is that you cannot include it in Word/Scrivener, but I think that's going to be true of any dynamic software tool that allows you to move the audience's point of view around a map.

    Vic    (@VicGee on Twitter) 
    The master list of mind mapping &
    information management software


  • mattbeeksmattbeeks
    This modeler might not help with drawing diagrams, but it can build graphical parent/child hierarchies: 


    May be useful for other linguistics work? It uses Wordnet, like visual thesaurus:


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