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Turn your qualitative research notes into a concept map

Upload interview transcripts, field notes or a codebook and get an editable mind map of your design, codes and themes that you can rearrange and explore.

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How a concept map helps with qualitative research

Qualitative research produces a lot of material: interview transcripts, field notes, codebooks and theory memos. A concept map for qualitative research shows how sampling, data collection, coding and trustworthiness connect before you write the methods chapter.

Place the research question at the center and keep it visible while you map
Use main branches for design, sampling, data collection, analysis and trustworthiness
Attach codes as sub-branches and note the quotes that support each theme
Revise the map after each coding round so it reflects what you actually found

Example qualitative research concept map branches

Sampling strategiesPurposive sampling · Snowball sampling · Theoretical sampling

Thematic analysis stepsFamiliarization · Initial coding · Theme review · Theme definition

Grounded theory codingOpen coding · Axial coding · Selective coding · Constant comparison

Trustworthiness criteriaCredibility · Transferability · Dependability · Confirmability

Data collection methodsSemi-structured interviews · Focus groups · Participant observation · Document analysis

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text file or a photo of a page. The map is drawn from your own transcripts, notes and readings.

Editable branches

Move, rename and collapse branches as your coding develops. Keep the map in step with your analysis instead of starting over.

Explorable structure

Click into any branch to see its sub-points, then trace a theme back to the source material it came from.

How it works

Upload your notes

Add a PDF, DOCX, slides or pasted text from your study or literature review. No credit card is needed to start.

Review the draft map

DeckOwl proposes a central question with main branches for the core parts of your research. Check that the structure matches your design.

Refine and explore

Edit branches, add codes or quotes and expand sub-points until the map shows how your sampling, data and themes connect.

Start with the central research question, then add main branches for your design, participants, data collection and analysis. Keep codes and themes as sub-branches so you can trace each theme back to its supporting quotes and see where your argument is thin.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I build a concept map for a qualitative study?

Start with your research question in the center, then add branches for your framework, sampling, data collection and analysis. Attach codes and themes as sub-branches, and revise the map as your coding develops.

How many main branches should a qualitative research concept map have?

Keep main branches to the core parts of the design, such as the question, sampling, data collection and analysis. Move detail such as individual codes into sub-branches so the top level stays readable.

Can I export my concept map?

The free plan lets you study and edit in the browser without exports. Exporting your study materials to PDF, DOCX, Anki or CSV is included in the Plus plan.

Does DeckOwl work with interview transcripts?

Yes, if they are in a supported format such as PDF, DOCX, plain text or a photo of a printed page read with text recognition. The map is drawn from the text you upload.

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Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.