Concept mapping is a visual, non-linear way of organizing notes and ideas. It works by triggering word associations and helps you explore facets of a topic that might not be immediately apparent. It starts with a central idea or concept that grows to include all relevant and related questions.
For more information on how to make a concept map, see RISD's "Concept Mapping" Handout. To make a concept map, use diagrams.net, a free website that lets you choose from a variety of flowcharts and diagrams.
When conducting research, having a list of alternate vocabulary words can be extremely helpful. To get you thinking about your topic, try the following exercise:
See this handout for more information.