7
1
When I'm trying to figure out a problem, I find it helpful to sketch out the parts of it on paper. Be it words or drawings, brainstorming thoughts into a visual form is quite effective for me to clarify what I am dealing with.
Have there been studies on how drawing or writing things out on paper can help one to focus and work more effectively?
6
There are, but there's zero chance that they would be useful.
You've found something that works for you -- will it work any more or less well depending on how many other people it works well for?
Added info courtesy of David Antaramian:
If you absolutely must have a study, pick anything from Google Scholar. Especially interesting is "Mind mapping as a tool in mathematics education". You might also want to take a look at Tony Buzan's books. He is credited with originally coining the term "mind map" and developing the philosophy behind it.
2
I full agree with HedgeMage. And if you absolutely must have a study, pick anything from Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=mind+map&btnG=Search&as_sdt=0%2C10&as_ylo=&as_vis=0) my personal recommendation of which is "Mind mapping as a tool in mathematics education" (http://complabs.nevada.edu/~byerleyc/MT96296.pdf). You might also want to take a look at Tony Buzan's books. He is credited with originally coining the term "mind map" and developing the philosophy behind it.
– David Antaramian – 2011-06-25T07:13:10.3172-1: I think this is an unnecessarily cynical and unhelpful response. It's widely accepted that diagrams are helpful tools for planning and summarising complex problems. Research indicating that a particular tool is helpful for many other people is a strong indication that it might be helpful for you too. For example, that's the purpose of this entire website! – ire_and_curses – 2011-06-26T06:42:31.873
Fair remark. I realized how useful mindmapping was (for me), and wondered if there was any research on it. That's all. – Grant Palin – 2011-06-26T18:46:29.547
Though I understand where the HedgeMage is coming from, I agree with ire_and_curses. I do sometimes groan a little when I see such questions, but I am at times surprised by what a study can show. It's not so much the overall result, but I often learn subtlies, distinctions, and techniques from a more formal perspective than I've learned from picking up bits and pieces online. – eflat – 2012-02-23T18:25:19.510
I would second @DavidAntaramian: Tony Buzan's book The Mind Map Book is a good resource for studies and so on, though it might be considered biased.
– Mei – 2012-02-24T22:12:25.920