Conceptual mapping of geography textbook content on the example of the desert biome

The aim of this study is to identify the key terms used by textbook authors when presenting desert biomes and, subsequently, to visualise the relationships between them using a conceptual map. To achieve this objective, we assessed geography textbooks using conceptual maps, which can be used to con...

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Main Authors: Petr Trahorsch, Jan Daniel Bláha, Kristýna Ryčlová
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: European Association of Geographers 2022-07-01
Series:European Journal of Geography
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Online Access:https://eurogeojournal.eu/index.php/egj/article/view/233
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author Petr Trahorsch
Jan Daniel Bláha
Kristýna Ryčlová
author_facet Petr Trahorsch
Jan Daniel Bláha
Kristýna Ryčlová
author_sort Petr Trahorsch
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this study is to identify the key terms used by textbook authors when presenting desert biomes and, subsequently, to visualise the relationships between them using a conceptual map. To achieve this objective, we assessed geography textbooks using conceptual maps, which can be used to conceptualise this topic. The method used is innovative in textbook research and can be used to present results in a visual form with added value. A total of eleven university students created conceptual maps for each of the five analysed textbooks, and this was followed by a synthesis and comparison of the created maps. The effectiveness and clarity of the analysed content is one of the advantages of this visual form of analysis. The data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results show that the presentation of desert biomes in the textbooks we analysed is somewhat superficial, as the authors do not strive to interconnect concepts from different areas, and their conceptual maps lack higher hierarchy levels. Therefore, textbook authors should opt for a different conceptual approach to explanatory texts instead of the traditional coverage of the individual components of geographical environments.
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spelling doaj-art-e552d61073044053ad0afa6faab6d4b72025-08-20T02:45:19ZengEuropean Association of GeographersEuropean Journal of Geography1792-13412410-74332022-07-0113410.48088/ejg.p.tra.13.4.045.064Conceptual mapping of geography textbook content on the example of the desert biomePetr Trahorsch0Jan Daniel Bláha1 Kristýna Ryčlová2Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, CzechiaJan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, CzechiaJan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Czechia The aim of this study is to identify the key terms used by textbook authors when presenting desert biomes and, subsequently, to visualise the relationships between them using a conceptual map. To achieve this objective, we assessed geography textbooks using conceptual maps, which can be used to conceptualise this topic. The method used is innovative in textbook research and can be used to present results in a visual form with added value. A total of eleven university students created conceptual maps for each of the five analysed textbooks, and this was followed by a synthesis and comparison of the created maps. The effectiveness and clarity of the analysed content is one of the advantages of this visual form of analysis. The data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results show that the presentation of desert biomes in the textbooks we analysed is somewhat superficial, as the authors do not strive to interconnect concepts from different areas, and their conceptual maps lack higher hierarchy levels. Therefore, textbook authors should opt for a different conceptual approach to explanatory texts instead of the traditional coverage of the individual components of geographical environments. https://eurogeojournal.eu/index.php/egj/article/view/233Geography textbooktextbook analysisdesertconceptual mapping
spellingShingle Petr Trahorsch
Jan Daniel Bláha
Kristýna Ryčlová
Conceptual mapping of geography textbook content on the example of the desert biome
European Journal of Geography
Geography textbook
textbook analysis
desert
conceptual mapping
title Conceptual mapping of geography textbook content on the example of the desert biome
title_full Conceptual mapping of geography textbook content on the example of the desert biome
title_fullStr Conceptual mapping of geography textbook content on the example of the desert biome
title_full_unstemmed Conceptual mapping of geography textbook content on the example of the desert biome
title_short Conceptual mapping of geography textbook content on the example of the desert biome
title_sort conceptual mapping of geography textbook content on the example of the desert biome
topic Geography textbook
textbook analysis
desert
conceptual mapping
url https://eurogeojournal.eu/index.php/egj/article/view/233
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