Conceptual Maps Conceptual Maps andand Thesauri Thesauri:: A Comparison of Two Models of A Comparison of Two Models of

Representation Arising from Different Representation Arising from Different Disciplinary TraditionsDisciplinary Traditions

Lalthoum Saàdani and Suzanne Bertrand-GastaldyLalthoum Saàdani and Suzanne Bertrand-GastaldyÉcole de bibliothéconomie et des sciences de l’informationÉcole de bibliothéconomie et des sciences de l’information

Université de MontréalUniversité de Montréal

CAIS/ACSI 2000CAIS/ACSI 2000

””The development of hypermedia and databases The development of hypermedia and databases consisting of full-text versions of documents has consisting of full-text versions of documents has created intermediate situations between created intermediate situations between information seeking and content learning" (information seeking and content learning" (Roger, Roger,

Lavandier and Kolmayer 1998Lavandier and Kolmayer 1998) () (our translationour translation) )

””The goal of an information system or a learning The goal of an information system or a learning system should be the identification of system should be the identification of discontinuities in understanding" (discontinuities in understanding" (Duncan and Duncan and

McAleese 1987:377McAleese 1987:377) )

INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

Presentation schemePresentation scheme

Definition of Thesaurus and Conceptual MapDefinition of Thesaurus and Conceptual Map Objects representedObjects represented Elaboration stepsElaboration steps Functions or usesFunctions or uses Units of representation and their syntaxUnits of representation and their syntax Display formatsDisplay formats Evaluation of the two representational modelsEvaluation of the two representational models ConclusionConclusion

Thesaurus - DefinitionThesaurus - Definition

"The vocabulary of a controlled indexing "The vocabulary of a controlled indexing language, formally organized so that the a language, formally organized so that the a priori relationships between concepts (for priori relationships between concepts (for example as "broader" and "narrower”) are example as "broader" and "narrower”) are made explicit" made explicit" (ISO 2788, 1986:2)(ISO 2788, 1986:2)

"A controlled set of terms selected from natural "A controlled set of terms selected from natural language and used to represent, in abstract language and used to represent, in abstract form, the subjects of documents" form, the subjects of documents" (ISO 2788, (ISO 2788, 1986:2)1986:2)

Conceptual Map - DefinitionConceptual Map - Definition

""Concept mapping involves identifying concepts or ideas pertaining Concept mapping involves identifying concepts or ideas pertaining to a subject, and then describing the relationships that exist to a subject, and then describing the relationships that exist between these ideas in the form of a drawing sketch. The purpose between these ideas in the form of a drawing sketch. The purpose of the map is to represent an individual's understanding of a of the map is to represent an individual's understanding of a body of knowledge, and to illustrate the relationships among body of knowledge, and to illustrate the relationships among ideas that are meaningful to him or herideas that are meaningful to him or her"" (Sherratt and Schlabach (Sherratt and Schlabach 1990: 60-61).1990: 60-61).

" Schematic device for representing a set of concept meanings " Schematic device for representing a set of concept meanings embedded in a framework of propositions” embedded in a framework of propositions” (Novak and Gowin, (Novak and Gowin, 1984).1984).

Other names for conceptual maps

Mind Maps

WebMaps

Knowledge Maps or Kmaps

Cognitive Maps

Cognitive Structures

Conceptual Maps and Cognitive Maps

« Conceptual maps are related to the model of the thesaurus, cognitive maps are related to the mental model of users » (Borgman 1986)

« A concept map is a map constructed by experts, and represents many of the commonalties of their knowledge of the domain […] a cognitive map is a map constructed by a nonexpert individual […] and has a lesser degree of disciplinary validity » (Mahler et al. 1991)

What is RepresentedWhat is Represented??

ThesauriThesauri

ConceptsConcepts

• Having literary warrantHaving literary warrant

• Useful for information Useful for information retrievalretrieval

Conventional relationships Conventional relationships (limited and internationally (limited and internationally standardized typology and standardized typology and notation)notation)

Conceptual MapsConceptual Maps

ConceptsConcepts

• Chosen by the map's Chosen by the map's designerdesigner

• In education science, In education science, conceptual maps conceptual maps present generic present generic concepts, their precise concepts, their precise definition and the definition and the inter-relationships.inter-relationships.

Various non-standardized Various non-standardized relationshipsrelationships

The representation of conceptsThe representation of concepts

ThesauriThesauri Concepts are represented by:Concepts are represented by:

• the indexing terms (descriptors the indexing terms (descriptors or preferred terms)or preferred terms)

Concepts can be:Concepts can be:

• Concrete entities (things and Concrete entities (things and their parts; materials)their parts; materials)

• Abstract concepts (actions and Abstract concepts (actions and events; abstract entities and events; abstract entities and properties of objects, materials properties of objects, materials and actions; disciplines and and actions; disciplines and sciences and units of measure)sciences and units of measure)

• Proper nouns (individual Proper nouns (individual entities or individual classes entities or individual classes expressed as proper nouns)expressed as proper nouns)

Conceptual mapsConceptual maps Concepts are represented by:Concepts are represented by:

• Nodes containing words from Nodes containing words from natural languagenatural language

Concepts can be:Concepts can be:

• EventsEvents

• Objects or ThingsObjects or Things

• ProcessesProcesses

• SensationsSensations

• IdeasIdeas

• ConstructsConstructs

• SituationsSituations

• PropertiesProperties

• Recognized signs or symbolsRecognized signs or symbols

RelationshipsRelationships

ThesauriThesauriAlphabetical or graphic symbolsAlphabetical or graphic symbols Equivalence relationships:Equivalence relationships:

• Use or for UseUse or for Use

• UF or = for Used forUF or = for Used for Hierarchic relationships:Hierarchic relationships:

• NT or > for Narrower TermsNT or > for Narrower Terms

• BT or < for Broader TermsBT or < for Broader Terms Hierarchic relationships include: Hierarchic relationships include:

generic relations (genus-generic relations (genus-species)species)

partitive relations (whole-part)partitive relations (whole-part) instantiationinstantiation poly-hierarchic relationspoly-hierarchic relations

Associative relationships:Associative relationships:

• RT or - for Related TermsRT or - for Related Terms SN for Scope Notes.SN for Scope Notes.

Conceptual MapsConceptual MapsNatural language wordsNatural language words Arcs labelled by verbs, prepositions, Arcs labelled by verbs, prepositions,

names or logical connectors, variable names or logical connectors, variable linking words.linking words.

Causal relationships or using linksCausal relationships or using links Dynamic semantic links (x influences Dynamic semantic links (x influences

y, leads to)y, leads to) Static links (Type, part)Static links (Type, part) Instructional links (analogy, example) Instructional links (analogy, example) Physical relationships (under, near)Physical relationships (under, near) Temporal relationships (precede, Temporal relationships (precede,

follow)follow) Logical relationships (cause, product)Logical relationships (cause, product)

Display formatsDisplay formats

ThesauriThesauri

Linear (alphabetical, Linear (alphabetical, permuted)permuted)

Hierarchic (systematic)Hierarchic (systematic) Graphic Graphic

• Arrowgraphs Arrowgraphs • Tree structureTree structure• Circular formCircular form• TerminogramTerminogram

Conceptual MapsConceptual Maps

Graphic and hierarchic Graphic and hierarchic (less strict hierarchy)(less strict hierarchy)

Other forms: Other forms: • Semantic networkSemantic network• Tree graphTree graph• HistogramHistogram• Geographic mapGeographic map• etc.etc.

Conceptual maps: display formatsConceptual maps: display formats

Stages of ProductionStages of Production

ThesauriThesauri

Choice of form. Choice of form. Choice of terms.Choice of terms. Choice of grouping Choice of grouping

mode. mode. Choice of relationships. Choice of relationships. Choice of representation Choice of representation

format.format. Compilation.Compilation.

Conceptual mapsConceptual maps

Identification of concepts.Identification of concepts. Organisation of concepts Organisation of concepts

from the general to the from the general to the specific.specific.

Establishing relationships Establishing relationships among concepts.among concepts.

Compiling or sketching Compiling or sketching map.map.

Function or UseFunction or Use

ThesauriThesauri Vocabulary controlVocabulary control Facilitation of information Facilitation of information

retrieval:retrieval:

• Representation of content and Representation of content and search questions.search questions.

• Suggestion of search terms Suggestion of search terms (query expansion)(query expansion)

• Help in understanding a term's Help in understanding a term's use context.use context.

Act as an interface or intermediary Act as an interface or intermediary between users and the information between users and the information systems.systems.

Conceptual mapsConceptual maps Organize and present a field's or a Organize and present a field's or a

part of a field's conceptual structure.part of a field's conceptual structure. Graphically represent the meaning Graphically represent the meaning

of a set of concepts.of a set of concepts. Visualize the understanding an Visualize the understanding an

individual has of a field of individual has of a field of knowledge.knowledge.

Represent users' cognitive structure.Represent users' cognitive structure. Facilitate teaching and learning Facilitate teaching and learning Evaluate learners' cognitive Evaluate learners' cognitive

structures and measure their structures and measure their knowledge.knowledge.

Identify and correct misconceptions.Identify and correct misconceptions.

EvaluationEvaluation

ThesauriThesauri Linear form:Linear form:

• Difficulty of manipulation (cumbersome, Difficulty of manipulation (cumbersome, redundancies)redundancies)

Graphic formGraphic form• Reinforces the representiveness of a Reinforces the representiveness of a

thesaurus.thesaurus.• Emphasizes the semantic context of Emphasizes the semantic context of

descriptors.descriptors.• Favours better interaction between users Favours better interaction between users

and the information systems.and the information systems. If in conceptual map formIf in conceptual map form

• Enables users to compare their own Enables users to compare their own mental maps with the system’s graphic mental maps with the system’s graphic representation maps.representation maps.

If in semantic nets formIf in semantic nets form• Reduces the volume of a thesaurus.Reduces the volume of a thesaurus.• Favours a more intelligent behaviour Favours a more intelligent behaviour

based on inference reasoning.based on inference reasoning.

Conceptual mapsConceptual maps An effective tool in learning An effective tool in learning

activities.activities. Useful essentially as an Useful essentially as an

evaluation technique. evaluation technique. An appropriate tool to represent An appropriate tool to represent

a knowledge domain.a knowledge domain. Effective tool to externalize the Effective tool to externalize the

cognitive structures of cognitive structures of designers.designers.