Mind Mapping Technique in Political Studies

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Topic
Mindmap
Narrative
Research Questions
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Mind mapping is a concept used in psychology to analyze situations. It is used to represent ideas and information in the form of graphics. Particularly, information is represented in graphics that resemble a thinking mind. These graphics contain multiple branches that originate from a central point (Hamilton, 2002). They could be drawn by hands or computer software. Graphical representation helps learners to understand information easily. The strength of mind mapping lies on the ability to integrate art and analysis (Cozby, 1981). This implies that learners must engage their brain when dealing with mind mapping. Consequently, it eliminates shallow thinking, enhances creativity and discourages dull thinking. Mind mapping is applied in various fields of study. These fields include taking notes, making presentations and researching (Percival, 2003). In this paper, I will choose and analyze a topic using mind mapping strategy. After identifying the research topic, I will raise three questions that will be potential for a research. Lastly, I will choose one question that will help to make a research proposal.

Topic

This paper seeks to analyze politics. Politics is a necessary component of a community. It affects economic and social aspects of a community (Ray, 1979). In the world, people have experienced many cases of political instability and violence (Ray, 1979). Leaders are involved in struggle for power. Particularly, Africa has been the major victim of political instability. Therefore, analyzing this topic is important.

Mindmap

Narrative

In the process of brain storming, I acquired various experiences. First, it made the analysis be interesting and objective. This activity eliminated the possible boredom that would arise in other methods of analysis. Drawing the branches was pretty involving and interesting. As a result, I managed to add many branches to the mind map. Consequently, I generated many factors that surrounded politics. This activity had an interesting formulation that facilitated effective results.

The pictorial representation of the factors surrounding politics was a credible strength of understanding. I could read through the factors at a glance and relate them easily. It, therefore, made the analysis and development of research questions easy and fast. In addition, the figure represented an idea of the topic within a glance. This is contrary to the notes. If the information on politics was represented in the form of notes, it would appear complex and difficult to understand. In a mind map, information was broken down into comprehensive constituents.

Another experience relates to the development of information. The mind mapping technique enabled a wide generation of ideologies surrounding politics. It integrated the art of drawing and analysis allowing thorough engagement of the mind. This enabled the generation of many ideas and their representation on the mind map. Particularly, integration was the base of success in mind mapping.

It, also, facilitated my understanding on the relationship of various components in politics. When I was developing the questions, I could relate factors easily and determine their strengths strategically. In addition, it formed the basis of generating research questions. For example, I wondered whether there was a relationship between power and leadership. I was triggered to think about the relationship that exists between these two components.

Research Questions

A research question forms the basis of research. It assists when designing a research proposal. A research must have a question or a problem that is implemented to be the starting point. It determines the nature of research to be carried out and the population of interest. The mind mapping technique helped in raising the research questions. Moreover, it assisted in developing a hypothesis that is based on possible outcomes of the research.

Are Citizens the Main Players in Politics?

This question aims at evaluating the position of citizens in politics. It, also, seeks to understand how they determine the nature of leadership. In addition, it addresses relationships between citizens and other factors that surround politics. Also, this question will show how citizens shape politics.

Hypothesis 1

From this research question, it could be assumed that the citizens are not the main players in politics. This hypothesis cannot be tested. It is referred to as null hypothesis. However, I need a testable research hypothesis. I could, therefore, state that citizens are the main players in politics. This will be an alternative hypothesis. During the research, I could interview the political analysts. They will discuss the roles of citizens in politics. Also, they will contribute to the relationship between citizens of a country and the other components. In addition, I will interview leaders of various communities. This interview will seek to understand what they expect from the citizens. The expectations include obligations and roles of the citizens.

Prior to the research, I could assert that the alternative hypothesis is true. From the mind map, four major components of politics are observed. These include leaders, power, violence and citizens. Citizens are able to influence the existence of political violence and leadership. First, citizens determine the nature of leaders they have. In many countries around the world, leaders are chosen from the democratic elections. The citizens are given the right to vote and choose their leaders. In addition, laws of many countries dictate that a political leader must be a citizen of the country. Therefore, citizens are the major pillars in leadership. This could be a good example to depict a discussion of research findings from the above procedures.

Does Political Violence Shape Politics?

This question seeks to understand the effects of violence on politics. It provides basis of investigating the role of violence in democratization and violation of political rights.

Hypothesis 2

The null hypothesis could suggest that political violence does not shape politics. In a similar manner, the hypothesis is not testable. On the other hand, alternative hypothesis could assert that political violence shapes politics. During the research, citizens of countries affected by political violence could be interviewed. They could give past information concerning political violence. They, also, could show how violence has affected their choices on leadership. Regarding the same question, I could interview the political analysts to retrieve professional views. They will give an analytical perspective concerning political violence. In addition, they will offer analysis on the relationship between violence and other factors surrounding politics.

Based on the available information, I will try to predict the possible outcomes of such a research. In the world of politics, political violence is inevitable. When violence takes place, it creates two parallel impacts on a community (Honderich, 1976). First, it causes physical destruction of property. As a result, people deviate from politics. For example, political violence in Kenya created political abstinence. Many candidates dropped their political ambitions. The abstinence from politics reduces competition and offers a good opportunity to their rivals. On the side of citizens, they might be tempted to refrain from exercising their right to choose leaders. Expectedly, some citizens would consider voting as a process that causes violence.

Does Transformational Leadership Affect Politics?

Leadership is a component of politics. Leadership takes two parallel forms. The two forms include transformational and transactional leadership. The world is changing gradually from transactional to transformational leadership. This research, therefore, seeks to understand the forces behind transformational leadership. On this light, I could interview various transformational leaders. The data sets will focus on those leaders who have made tremendous progress in their countries. They should show the differences experienced during their tenure of leadership. In addition, I will interview some citizens in those communities. In their contribution, they should give positive and negative impacts of the leadership. I will also include the political analysts. They will help in giving the analytical view concerning transformational leadership and politics.

Does political violence shape politics?

Out of the three questions, I consider the second question for a research. The question focuses on political violence. This question is the most appropriate since it focuses on an issue of global concern in the recent political setting. Particularly, Africa continent is affected by political violence significantly. Therefore, it is important to research and offer necessary recommendations that can stabilize the violence.

Conclusion

Research is fundamental for development of knowledge. Knowing the best strategies to enact a research should be considered to be vital. Learners must, therefore, identify strategies of researching and pay attention to the topic. This will facilitate revelation of information to drive the world ahead.

References

Cozby, P. C. (1981). Methods in behavioral research (2nd ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Mayfield.

Hamilton, C. A. (2002). Mapping the Mind and the Body: On W.H. Audens Personifications. Style, 3, 567-570.

Honderich, T. (1976). Political violence. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press.

Percival, J. (2003). Know your mind: Jennifer Percival explains how mind mapping can help you to gather your thoughts logically and set your plans in motion. (perspectives).. Nursing Standard, 2, 399-412.

Ray, J. L. (1979). Global politics. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

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