Digital Sketch-Map Drawing as an Instrument to Collect Data about Spatial Cognition

A method for collecting, mapping, and exploring the sequence of sketch-map creation, including integration of the resulting sketch maps into a geographic information system (GIS) for visualization and potential geometric analyses is described.

Abstract

The formative years of cognitive mapping research focused on theoretical understanding, with less emphasis on developing innovative methodologies to extract cognitive maps. By the 1990s, new cross-disciplinary exchanges with computer science and information technology had renewed interest in the field. This article describes a method for collecting, mapping, and exploring the sequence of sketch-map creation, including integration of the resulting sketch maps into a geographic information system (GIS) for visualization and potential geometric analyses. The method involves the use of a tablet computer that allowed subjects to draw their sketch maps directly onscreen while computer software simultaneously records the drawing process in audio and video format. Results from a pilot study with 45 participants demonstrate that the method preserves the quality of drawn sketch maps but adds several new data elements and insights. In particular, the audio data were used to add labels and other attributes to drawn sketch-map elements, whereas the video data allowed tracking of the sequence in which elements are drawn. Analysis shows that paths tend to be drawn more frequently at first but soon decrease in frequency in favour of landmarks. Nodes, boundaries, and districts tend to be drawn throughout the drawing process but are much less frequent. Explanation and implications of these findings are discussed with respect to past methods and theories.