QCue: Queries and Cues for Computer-Facilitated Mind-Mapping

Ting-Ju Chen, Sai Ganesh Subramanian, Vinayak R. Krishnamurthy

TL;DR: This paper introduces a method to generate questions (cues) and queries (suggestions) to help users perform mind-mapping.

Abstract: We introduce a novel workflow, QCue, for providing textual stimulation during mind-mapping. Mind-mapping is a powerful tool whose intent is to allow one to externalize ideas and their relationships surrounding a central problem. The key challenge in mind-mapping is the difficulty in balancing the exploration of different aspects of the problem (breadth) with a detailed exploration of each of those aspects (depth). Our idea behind QCue is based on two mechanisms: (1) computer-generated automatic cues to stimulate the user to explore the breadth of topics based on the temporal and topological evolution of a mind-map and (2) user-elicited queries for helping the user explore the depth for a given topic. We present a two-phase study wherein the first phase provided insights that led to the development of our work-flow for stimulating the user through cues and queries. In the second phase, we present a between-subjects evaluation comparing QCue with a digital mind-mapping work-flow without computer intervention. Finally, we present an expert rater evaluation of the mind-maps created by users in conjunction with user feedback.

Keywords: mind-mapping, computer-supported creativity tools, idea generation, ConceptNet