P: MAXMaps – a practical example

The following example shows how you can use MAXMaps for the visualization of your data and the coherences which you have found.

The foundation for this example is a fictional text body consisting of the statements of politician regarding the coalition negotiations in the Fall of 2005. However, you can use any given text in MAXQDA.

The goal is to visualize coherences or connections which have established themselves through the analysis of the texts. Which coalitions are possible, how are they named, and which persons support those solutions? You can use this visual presentation for a report, in order to guide your audience, step-by-step, towards your findings.

1. Creating the first map

Opening the Map
Open any kind of MAXQDA project, which contains text. Proceed to open the MAXMaps window in your MAXQDA project (“Visual Tools”  > “MAXMaps”). An empty Map will be opened. Change the name of the Map to “Coalitions 2006“ (Right-click on the word “New Map“ and select “Rename“).
Tip: Should you have created a Map already, simply create another empty Map with the menu command “MAP” > “New”.

Inserting text symbols
Next you can insert those texts from MAXQDA, which you would like to use as symbols in the Map. This does not have to include all texts but could also consist of a specific selection, e.g. texts by Merkel, Schröder, Westerwelle, Stoiber, Fischer, and Bisky. The fastest way to do this is by holding down the Alt-key and double clicking on each text of your choice.
Tip: Alternatively you can insert texts by use of the context menu: right-click on the concerned text and select „Insert in Map“.

Changing the symbol description
Now organize the text symbols. A semi-circle might be best for this case, in order to symbolize a sort of session. The text symbols might now have fitting captions yet. Therefore select a suiting name for each text in MAXMaps. Right-click on a text symbol and select “Properties”; a new window will open and you can find the label in the upper section. This is where you enter the name of your choice. So, instead of “Schröder” you could use “Gerhard Schröder”. This is how you fare with all your texts.

Inserting free objects
Additionally to the texts of the politicians and their parties you could illustrate possible coalitions which are being debated. So, at least the Jamaica-Coalition, the Traffic Light, and the Big Coalition. This is what free symbols are used for in MAXMaps. Enter three new free symbols (“Edit” > New free object”).

Changing the object color
These new symbols should also receive captions, which should orientate themselves after the names of the coalitions. You may also change the color and size of a free shape in order to illustrate significant meaning (right click on the object > “Properties“).

Copying formats
Paste the color- and size format onto a different circle to save a lot of effort and time (symbols “Copy Format” and “Set Format”).

2. Replacing symbols with pictures

Though symbols are useful for the visualization of texts, the content value might be easier to comprehend for the recipient if the text symbol would be replaced by the corresponding picture of the person and the particular coalition circle by symbol like e.g. a traffic light. This is easily done if you have collected suitable photo material and saved this in a common folder. Select the text symbol to which you would like to assign a picture, e.g. Angela Merkel, right click and select “Insert Picture”.

Enlarge the individual photos of the texts a little bit, so that they better fit the screen of MAXMaps (Symbol “Enlarge“). Afterwards you might have to change the font size, for it might be too large (right click on the object and select “Properties”).

Tip: If you are looking for relevant photos or symbols you could, for instance, browse through the ClipArt Gallery of Word (found in Word under “Insert” > “Picture” > “Clipart”) or use the image-search function of www.google.com.

3. Drawing Connecting Lines

In this step you will be able to point out possible connections between our texts, respectively our politicians, and parties via connecting lines. These lines are supposed to symbolize possible coalition partners and connect the specific coalitions and also, by using different lines and line sizes, the specific percentage of votes. A thin arrow for a small party and, vice versa, a large arrow for a large party. For the insertion of an arrow switch to the connecting lines mode („Mode“ > “Link“). Lines are easily drawn now; just drag the mouse from the initiating object to the targeted one.

Now change the corresponding description and color, the thickness, arrow, and line of the connection by switching to the „Selection“ mode, then right click on the corresponding line and select „Properties“.

You can save a lot of time and effort by copying specific arrow formats with the copy format brush onto other arrows. The created lines then adapt themselves to the given position of their objects. Simply test this by switching to the “Move” mode and shift a politician- or coalition symbol around. Arrange your presentation in such a way, that arrow, coalitions, and politicians are easy to see and connections become apparent.

Tip: Creating new connecting lines or changing an existing one is only possible if you have switched back to linking mode (“Mode“ > “Link“).

4. Layers – presentation levels in Maps

The image with the three coalitions is rather complex and contains a lot of connection arrows and coalitions. Therefore, it would be convenient for a presentation to have the individual connections and possible coalitions appear gradually. In MAXMaps this is possible by using “Layers”, which means different levels. Each object of a MAP belongs to a default level, “Basis”, at first. You can add additional levels via the layer menu, in order to later assign each object of a map to a specific level. In this case it would be best to name the used levels after the coalitions which are supposed to appear one after the other: Traffic Light, Jamaica-Coalition, and Big Coalition.

To make sure that objects are assigned to the correct layers, e.g. all arrows and symbols of the Big Coalition to the layer “Big Coalition”, select the corresponding coalition symbol by use of the right mouse button and assign the correct layer from the context menu. All belonging arrows are also automatically assigned.

In order to show the presentation with MAXMaps, open the small layer-window (Command). Remove the marks in front of your layers with the coalition descriptions for the start of your presentation. At the same time all corresponding arrows and objects will disappear from the MAXMaps screen. While giving your report and specific explanations concerning your codings (or the coalitions) you will develop your thesis and add the suitable layer by clicking on the checkmark or blend it out by removing the checkmark.

Tip: Individual object can be put into the fore- or background, in order for newly blended-in objects to always appear above the already existing ones. The order of the overlapping of objects can be arranged with the command in the tool bar. The three coalition symbols, for instance, could be placed onto the same space and replace each other during the presentation.

5. Printing a Map or exporting it as an image

A created map can be printed out or exported, with layers on or off, at any time. This way you can include your Maps in Powerpoint or Word, or publish them on your website. Simply select the menu command “Map“ > “Save as Image“ or “Map“ > “Print“.

© 2007 Dr. Dresing & Verbi GmbH - All Rights reserved