Visual Modeling

Constructing from sorted memos

1. List major categories on sticky notes or index cards.
2. Move them until spatial proximity reflects hypothesized relations.
3. Draw links; label each link with a verb phrase (“triggers,” “buffers,” “masks”).
4. For each link, attach 2+ incident IDs as evidence anchors.

Conventions for representing relationships

• Use consistent arrow direction (cause → effect; condition → strategy).
• Distinguish strong vs tentative links (dashed vs solid) and keep a legend.
• Avoid decorating with colors that have no coded meaning.

Iterating on visual models

Each iteration should respond to disconfirming incidents or new theoretical sampling. Version files (model_v3.png) and note what changed in the audit trail.

Using visuals in publications

Provide a clean figure with minimal jargon; define terms in the caption; ensure the figure matches claims in text. Some journals want black-and-white friendly palettes.

Conditional matrix tips

Start small (3×3). Expand only when cells remain meaningful. If a cell is empty, ask whether the absence is empirical or a modeling error.

Software options

Whiteboards, Miro, Obsidian canvas, PowerPoint, OmniGraffle, Graphviz, CAQDAS maps. Pick what keeps you fast; avoid tool obsession.

Grounded theory alignment

Models express substantive theory, not literature diagrams. If your figure recreates a framework from a prior study, scrutinize for forcing.

Checklist

• Model type matches the phenomenon (process vs network).
• Links labeled; legend clarifies line styles.
• Evidence references attached for major relationships.
• Iterations versioned; changes explained.
• Publication figure readable at print size.

References (starting points)

• Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. Basics of Qualitative Research — conditional matrix tradition (read critically with Glaserian integration goals).
• Konecki, K. Visualizing Grounded Theory.
• Northcutt, N., & McCoy, D. Interactive Qualitative Analysis — diagramming practices across approaches.