A comparative critique of several methods of collecting data for cognitive mapping

Cognitive mapping by learners for various research purposes is assisted if the appropriate technique is used with learners at different stages of schooling and with varying degrees of understanding of a content field and of related content fields. There are however, techniques now available which appear to be usable by learners in primary, secondary and tertiary education. The use of the elucidatory interview is an exciting new tool for science educators. It is not, however, an easy one to use and our own experience suggests that a challenging combination of experince and naivety is needed for it to have optimal benefit as a means of rich data. © 1981 Australian Science Education Research Association.