Concept mapping as a promising method to bring practice into science

M J H van Bon-Martens; L A M van de Goor; J C Holsappel; T J M Kuunders; M A M Jacobs-van der Bruggen; J H M te Brake; J A M van Oers

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2014.04.002

Concept mapping as a promising method to bring practice into science

Public Health. 2014 Jun;128(6):504-14. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2014.04.002. Epub 2014 Jun 10.

Authors

M J H van Bon-Martens¹, L A M van de Goor², J C Holsappel³, T J M Kuunders⁴, M A M Jacobs-van der Bruggen⁴, J H M te Brake⁵, J A M van Oers⁶

Affiliations

¹ Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Brabant, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Tilburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Regional Health Service (GGD) Hart voor Brabant, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands; Trimbos Institute, the Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.j.h.vanbon@uvt.nl.
² Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Brabant, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Tilburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
³ Regional Health Service (GGD) Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Impact, National Knowledge and Advice Centre for Psychosocial Care Concerning Critical Incidents, Diemen, The Netherlands; Centre for Public Health Status and Forecasting (cVTV), Bilthoven, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands.
⁴ Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Brabant, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Tilburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Regional Health Service (GGD) Hart voor Brabant, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
⁵ Impact, National Knowledge and Advice Centre for Psychosocial Care Concerning Critical Incidents, Diemen, The Netherlands.
⁶ Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Brabant, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Tilburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Centre for Public Health Status and Forecasting (cVTV), Bilthoven, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands.

PMID: 24923995
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2014.04.002

Abstract

Objective: Concept mapping is a method for developing a conceptual framework of a complex topic for use as a guide to evaluation or planning. In concept mapping, thoughts and ideas are represented in the form of a picture or map, the content of which is determined by a group of stakeholders. This study aimed to explore the suitability of this method as a tool to integrate practical knowledge with scientific knowledge in order to improve theory development as a sound basis for practical decision-making.

Method: Following a short introduction to the method of concept mapping, five Dutch studies, serving different purposes and fields in public health, will be described. The aim of these studies was: to construct a theoretical framework for good regional public health reporting; to design an implementation strategy for a guideline for integral local health policy; to guide the evaluation of a local integral approach of overweight and obesity in youth; to guide the construction of a questionnaire to measure the quality of postdisaster psychosocial care; and to conceptualize an integral base for formulation of ambitions and targets for the new youth healthcare programme of a regional health service.

Results: The studies showed that concept mapping is a way to integrate practical and scientific knowledge with careful selection of participants that represent the different perspectives. Theory development can be improved through concept mapping; not by formulating new theories, but by highlighting the key issues and defining perceived relationships between topics. In four of the five studies, the resulting concept map was received as a sound basis for practical decision-making.

Conclusions: Concept mapping is a valuable method for evidence-based public health policy, and a powerful instrument for facilitating dialogue, coherence and collaboration between researchers, practitioners, policy makers and the public. Development of public health theory was realized by a step-by-step approach, considering both scientific and practical knowledge. However, the external validity of the concept maps in place and time is of importance.

Keywords: Concept mapping; Evidence-based public health; Public health policy; Public health practice.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Concept Formation*
Evidence-Based Practice*
Health Policy*
Humans
Knowledge
Netherlands
Policy Making
Public Health Practice*