You can build a research topic through a mind map. You can use pieces or paper or textboxes to arrange your ideas.
- Place your initial idea in the center of your workspace.
- Write out every related concept separately.
- Put similar ideas together.
- Use the grouped ideas to create a question.
In free association, you allow your thoughts to flow freely without interruption. You later review your thoughts and select what is useful/interesting.
- Speaking and listening. Use a recording device like your phone. Talk freely about your topic to yourself or to another person. Later, review your recording and create a research question out of your chat.
- Writing and reading. Write freely without any revisions or editing. Later, review your text and create a research question.
