The use of qualitative research methods generates large bodies of evidence that require analysis. This paper invites nurses to consider using 'cognitive mapping' as an expeditieus method of handling such evidence. The material draws upon personal experience of using cognitive mapping to handle the evidence from a case study that generated a large amount of audio-recorded interview evidence. An example of a 'cognitive map' is presented, along with instructions on how the technique was used.
Green, J.Chandler, S. In: Guba E. (ed) The Paradigm Dialog . Sage Publications: London, 1990.
5.
Guba, E.Lincoln, Y.Effective Evaluation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1981.
6.
Cronbach, L.Toward Reform of Program Evaluation. San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass, 1980.
7.
Greene, J. In: Denzin, N., Lincoln Y. (eds). Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage: Thousand Oaks, 1994.
8.
Northcott, N.Appraisaland Professional Fulfilment of Nursing Staffin Oxfordshire. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Southampton.
9.
Bogdan, R., Biklen, 5. Qualitative Research for Education: An introduction to theoryand methods. (2nd edition.) Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1982.
10.
McDonald, B., Sanger, J.Just forthe record? Notes towards a theory of interviewing and evaluation . In: House, E.R. (ed). Evaluation Studies ReviewAnnual. Vol. 7. Beverly Hills: Sage, 1982.
11.
Patton, M.Q.Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods. (2nd edition.) London: Sage Publications , 1990.
12.
Burgess, R.Methods of Field Research 2: Interviews as conversations: In: Burgess, R.In the Field. An introduction to field research. London: Allen and Unwin, 1984, pp101-122.
13.
Simons, H.Getting to KnowSchools in Democracy. Lewes: Falmer Press, 1987.
14.
Ross, K.Making sense of qualitative data. in: Buckledee, J., McMahon, R. (eds) The Research Experience in Nursing. London: Chapman & Hall, 1994.
15.
Marshall, C.Career Socialisation of Women in School Administration. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Califomia: Santa Barbara, 1979.
16.
Jones, S.The analysis of depth interviews. In: Walker, R (ed) Applied Qualitative Research. Aldershot: Gower, 1985.
17.
Browne, C.The application of cognitive map analysis to semi-structured depth interviews with adults who have received formal adult literacy tuition. Studies in the Education of Adults1989; 21:2, 140-150.
18.
Eden, C., Jones, S., Sims, D.Messing about in Problems. Oxford: Pergamon, 1983.
19.
Tolman, E.C.Cognitive maps in rats and man. Psychological Review1948; 55: 189-208.
20.
Nisbet, J.Council of Europe: The Evaluation of Educational Programmes. Amsterdam: Swets and Zeitlinger, 1990.
Usher, R.Must we always research ourselves? Problems of writing and reflexivity in research. Occasional Papers in Education and InterdisciplinaryStudies, 1: 1992.
24.
Gouldner, A. The ComingCrisis of Western Sociology. London: Heinemann, 1971.
