When beginning your research it is helpful to begin by thinking about how you will proceed with your research.
What are going to be your keywords for searching? Are there alternative words that you might need to use?
One way to visualize your research is to create a concept map (or mind map). This might help you see the big picture of your research and where you may be able to go with your research.
Coogle: Coggle is a completely free, simple to use mind mapping tool that's easy to get started with. Just sign in with your Google account. Double-click on any item to edit it, and click the plus signs on either side to add branches to your mind map. Click and hold to drag them around the canvas to design your mind map any way you like. Coggle will automatically assign different colors to your branches, but clicking on a branch will bring up a color wheel so you can personalize it yourself. When you've finished a map, you can download it as a PDF or PNG, share it with others who can just view it or, if you allow it, edit your mind map.
Bubbl.us: It allows its users to create concept maps in an easy way with the fewest possible tools. You can create your project and invite your colleagues to join you in editing its content, and when done you can share it with others via a generated link.
Mind42: This is a browser-based online mind mapping application that allows you to keep track of all your ideas and create easy mind maps. It does not require any download or installation software, just use your browser and launch the application.
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