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An Experience of the Use of the Cognitive Mapping Method in Qualitative Research

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Knowledge Cartography

Part of the book series: Advanced Information and Knowledge Processing ((AI&KP))

Abstract

This chapter aims to analyze the cognitive mapping method as a tool for supporting qualitative research, particularly to carry out literature reviews, concept analysis and qualitative data examination. The author uses his own experience in using the cognitive mapping method and in applying CmapTools software to understand the concept of partnership. The author highlights some advantages and disadvantages in employing cognitive mapping and CmapTools software. Speed, representation and consistency are advantages of this method. However, the author also shows that the possibilities of reductionism, simplification of ideas and misinterpretation may take place when the method is applied.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The interviews were copied prior researcher decision to use the CmapTools.

  2. 2.

    CBDA leader, Ourém.

  3. 3.

    Member of the Rural Workers’ Union, Ourém.

  4. 4.

    Former head, Igarapé-Miri.

  5. 5.

    CBA leader, Igarapé-Miri.

  6. 6.

    CBA leader, Igarapé-Miri.

  7. 7.

    CBA leader, Ourém.

  8. 8.

    Former head of Rural Workers’ Union, Igarapé-Miri.

  9. 9.

    Former cooperative staff member, Ourém.

  10. 10.

    Head of cooperative, Igarapé-Miri.

  11. 11.

    Head of Farmers’ Union, Igarapé-Miri.

  12. 12.

    Head of POEMAR, Igarapé-Miri.

  13. 13.

    Head of GESPAN, Igarapé-Miri.

  14. 14.

    Head of PRORENDA, Ourém.

  15. 15.

    Head of Farmers’ Union, Igarapé-Miri.

  16. 16.

    Head of Local Organisation, Ourém.

  17. 17.

    Former head of the Department of Agriculture, Igarapé-Miri.

  18. 18.

    Former head of Department of Agriculture, Ourém.

Abbreviations

BASA:

Bank of Amazonia plc.

CBA:

Community-Based Association

CBDA:

Community-Based Development Association

COOPFRUT:

Igarapé-Mirí Co-operative of Small Rural Producers

GESPAN:

Participatory Management of Natural Resources Management

POEMA:

Poverty and Environment Program

POEMAR:

Institute for Actions of Sustainable Development

PRONAF:

National Support Program for Family-Base Agriculture

PRORENDA:

Support Project for Small-Scale Rural Producers in the State of Pará

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Acknowledgments

I am thankful to Alexandra Okada and Saburo Okada for their comments on an earlier version of this chapter. I am grateful to Sadhbh O’Dwyer and Roberta Pires for their proofreading. Thanks too to the Amazonia Development Institute (FIDESA) and Brazilian Education Ministry Agency (the CAPES Foundation) for supporting my PhD program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Applied Social Studies, University of Amazonia (UNAMA), Belém, Ananindeua, Brazil

    Mário Vasconcellos

  2. Centre of Environment, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Soure, Brazil

    Mário Vasconcellos

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  1. Mário Vasconcellos
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Correspondence to Mário Vasconcellos .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Knowledge Media Institute, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK

    Alexandra Okada BSc, MA, PhD  & Simon Buckingham Shum BSc, MSc, PhD  & 

  2. The Centre for Science Education, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK

    Tony Sherborne BSc, MA, PhD

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Vasconcellos, M. (2008). An Experience of the Use of the Cognitive Mapping Method in Qualitative Research. In: Okada, A., Shum, S.B., Sherborne, T. (eds) Knowledge Cartography. Advanced Information and Knowledge Processing. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-149-7_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-149-7_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84800-148-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84800-149-7

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