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Create a map from a research question

In short: Open any map in the Research Maps tab, type a question into the Map queries bar at the bottom of the map, and press Enter. SciNodes shows one or more ways to answer it, marked Recommended, Alternative or Starting point. Click Explore with map on the one you want. SciNodes builds the map, opens it and starts a Chat with this map thread with your question as the first message.

Before you start​

  • Your project needs publications in its corpus. See Adding publications.
  • The Map queries bar floats over an open map. Every new project builds an Initial Map automatically, so there is usually one to open. If you're in the maps gallery, use the Query Bank instead.

Steps​

  1. Open your project and click the Research Maps tab.
  2. Click a map in the gallery to open it, for example Initial Map.
  3. Click into the Map queries bar at the bottom of the map. Suggested questions from the built-in catalog appear above it, weighted for your project's research focus.
  4. Type your own question, or pick a suggestion. Use ↑ and ↓ to move through suggestions and Enter to choose one.
  5. Press Enter, or click Map this question (the arrow button). A dialog titled "How do you want to answer this?" opens.
  6. Read the options. Each card shows the map type, the unit of analysis, what nodes and edges are sized by, and a short reason why it fits.
  7. Click Explore with map on the option you want.
  8. Wait while the map builds. It opens on the stage, and the side panel opens a chat that asks your question about the new map.

If the project already has the same map, the card says "You already have this map" and offers Explore existing map (open it) or Explore through new map (build another copy).

What the dialog shows​

Part of the cardWhat it means
RecommendedThe best fit for your question.
AlternativeAnother good way to answer it, often with a different map type or unit.
Starting pointAn exploratory map to begin with when no exact match exists.
"Type map"The map type that will be built.
"Unit of analysis: … · nodes sized by … · edges by …"What each node is, and the weightage used for node size and edge thickness.
Filter chipsFilters the map applies to your corpus, for example a year range. A chip marked "(not applied)" is shown for information only.

Some recommended maps first add more related publications to your corpus by re-running the searches that built it, then build the map. Corpus expansion uses your weekly credits. See Corpus expansion.

Typing tips​

  • Press Shift + Enter for a new line. Questions can be up to 300 characters.
  • Press Esc to close the suggestions without clearing your question.
  • If you close the dialog without choosing, your question stays in the bar so you can refine it, for example by adding "in the last five years".
  • To get the bar out of the way, click its minimize button. Click Map queries to bring it back.
  • The two buttons above the suggestions open Expert Mode and the Query Bank.

When your question isn't a map question​

SciNodes reads every question first. If no map can answer it, you get an answer in chat instead:

  • Questions about your research topic, about research practice or about using SciNodes open an answer chat. With a map open, it appears in the side panel. Otherwise it opens in the Research Assistants tab.
  • A question unrelated to your project is still answered, with the note "Not sure how that related to your project. But I will answer."
  • Text that isn't a question shows "Do you have any questions you would like to answer through a research map?"

For a custom question, the dialog may show "Understood as:" followed by the catalog question it matched. If nothing matches, it says "We couldn't match this question to the catalog — here are two exploratory starting points."

Troubleshooting​

  • "Could not load the map options for this question." SciNodes couldn't fetch the options. Click Retry, or Close and ask again.
  • "Couldn't reach the question catalog." Suggestions aren't loading. You can still type your question and press Enter.
  • "No question in the catalog covers this — send it as your own." Nothing in the catalog matches. Press Enter anyway; SciNodes still looks for a map.
  • "Ranking is off — these are samples, not matches." Suggestions aren't matched to your text right now. Type your full question and send it.
  • "Your drafts are full" appears before the map builds. See Drafts and saving maps.
  • The map comes out empty, or a "No … to build" dialog appears. Citation-based maps need reference data. See Empty maps and reference data.

FAQ​

Which questions work best?​

Questions about structure work best: main themes, foundations, research fronts, influential authors, collaborating institutions, where to publish. Browse the Query Bank for examples such as "What are the intellectual foundations of this field?"

Does asking a question cost credits?​

The chat that opens with your question is a research assistant chat, so it uses your weekly credits. Options that expand the corpus first also use credits. See Credits and usage.

Can I change the settings SciNodes picked?​

Not from the dialog. Pick a different card, or build the map yourself in Expert Mode, where you control the type, unit, weights and every other setting.

Why did I get a chat instead of a map?​

SciNodes decided no map can answer that question, so it answered in chat. Rephrase it around themes, publications, authors, venues, organizations or countries to get map options.