Spicing up causal cognitive mapping with ethnography

If you use the Eden and Ackermann branch of causal cognitive mapping, you may have used ethnographic techniques already: when you create polar opposites for instance.

Quick start guide to Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping

This is a brief introduction to fuzzy cognitive mapping. It gets the basics out of the way and some pitfalls. It is mainly written for people who know cognitive mapping as a qualitative method.

The different types of cognitive mapping

The cognitive maps I usually discuss are the result of Causal Cognitive Mapping.

Mapping Myths - Wrong statements

In this part in the series of Causal Cognitive Mapping Myths I write about wrong, false or incorrect statements in cognitive maps.

Mapping Myths - How many arrows make a cause?

In this part in the series of Causal Cognitive Mapping Myths I write about the meaning of many statements that connect into another one.

Similarity can be misleading

In a recent series of posts ([3], [4], [5]) on similarity in cognitive maps and cause maps I outlined the importance of similarity. I wrote that similarity is one way to find undiscovered links. These new links, in turn, would show where participants (of the Causal Cognitive Mapping exercise) have common grounds. That is important, do not get me wrong. But an overemphasis may be misleading.

A second order approach to cognitive mapping

That is quite a title. Let's go through the terms and start with...

Cognitive Mapping

Cognitive mapping is about translating the thoughts of a person into a map. Such a map usually consists of statements that capture the thoughts of that person. These statements are usually depicted as rectangles that are linked with arrows that express some relationship between them. So you end up with a crowded map with a bunch of rectangles and arrows. To top it off you can merge cognitive maps of different persons into a single one which then gives you a cause map. Figure 1 shows a zoomed out example.

Figure 1 Cause map of the World3 model [1] (colours represent [scattered] clusters)

Second order approach

Second order approach - that is more difficult.

Causal Cognitive Mapping as innovative interview method?

Causal Cognitive Mapping [1] is, on a first look, a way to draw maps (a bunch of text statements connected with arrows; see also figure 1 left). But that is like saying the portrait is the art. What about the artist and the person portrayed? Often, cognitive maps are developed within an interview. Therefore, you may well consider Causal Cognitive Mapping as an interview method - but not a general one. Each map is structured so that, as a whole, bottom assertions and options lead over actions or strategies to top goals or values (figure 1 right and left).

Figure 1 How a map looks like (zoomed out)

Dealing with the uncertainty of similarity in cognitive maps and cause maps

In earlier posts [1][2] I outlined how difficult it is finding similar statements within a cause map that possibly can be merged and/or linked together. Such mergers or links indicate potential common grounds among interviewees.

In this post I will be sharing my approach as employed in my first medium sized map.  I was dealing with 7 cognitive maps weaved together into a cause map that eventually amounted to about 350 statements and 450 links. That makes 60 000 statement to compare in order to make sure that I have checked every combination for similarity. Not even close to manageable. So I went with computer-supported strategies.

The tragedy of similarity in cognitive maps and cause maps

Last post I outlined that a relatively small sized map of 50 statements already requires at least 1250 individual comparisons. That is the minimum number required in order to make sure you have checked all statements for their similarity. This in turn is important for checking whether they can be merged into one statement or linked together. This, finally, is important for instance when you want to weave together cognitive maps and find where interviewees have common grounds within an issue.

To get an idea of the sizes and dimensions have a look at figure 1.

Figure 1 Statements and comparisons required

Surprising finding: similarity in cognitive maps and cause maps

When you build cognitive maps and cause maps you may notice more or less duplicate statements. Depending on how similar these statements are you will either merge them together because they are equal, link them together because their similarity is due to a shared theme or leave them be since their similarity is just superficial.