Assessing the level of familiarity, use and also the effectiveness of mind maps in the information retrieval process

Background and Aim: Mind map is a full-color illustrated note-taking in which, main idea or subject is situated. The main ideas then branch out from the center, which are linked to the central idea. This is a relatively new topic, and slight research has been conducted to show its effectiveness worldwide. The aim is to examine the effectiveness of mind maps in the information retrieval process. Method: This is an applied in terms of purpose and in order to collect information about the familiarity and use of graduate students with mind maps by survey method. The present study also investigates the effect of mental map tools on quasi-experimental information retrieval. The statistical population of the present study includes all graduate students (Master and PhD) of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2016-2017, in four areas: humanities, basic sciences, engineering and agricultural sciences. The statistical sample size of the first phase of the research includes 224 graduate students and 127 doctoral students. The total size of the laboratory population is 30 people. The sampling method of the first stage is stochastic research of relative classes. The sample size of the second stage of the laboratory is purposeful. A questionnaire was used to collect data in this study. Cronbach's alpha of questionnaire number one is more than 0.8 and questionnaire number two and three is more than 7%. Results: Analysis show that the level of familiarity with mind maps and its use by graduate students at Ferdowsi University is below average. The average overall level search satisfaction with the whole search process in the second stage (3.833) is higher than the first stage (3.704). The average effectiveness of the whole search process in the second stage - with the help of mental map (359/3) is more than the first stage of the search process - without mental map (2.332). Conclusion: Mind maps are effective tools in the process of information retrieval that can be used with careful, purposeful planning and in consultation with experts in the field of information retrieval and information science. Information systems, search engines, information needs, etc. are among the areas in which mind maps can be examined.