Brainstorming is a way to come up with topics or ideas. It allows a person to casually consider multiple topics, ideas, theories, etc. without judgment and to take some ideas further into actual projects or as tools to consider more topics, ideas, theories, etc. MindTools' Brainstorming page has tools and more information about brainstorming.
A mind map is a visual representation of your issue or topic. It is a tool that is used to visualize ideas and opportunities for broadening or narrowing down search topics. MindTools' Mind Mapping page has tools and more information on mind mapping.
There are a number of free brainstorming and mind mapping tools available online like Bubbl.us and Popplet. Alternatively, try the mind map available via Credo Reference (click "Mind Map" on the Credo Reference homepage):
Another way to "map" your literature review sources is to use a chart format. A two chart system would entail creating one chart that lists each source and highlights key descriptors, and a second chart where the overall topic is broken down into sub-topics derived from the "main ideas" from the first chart. Each one of these "sub-topics" or issues then has the specific sources (articles, book chapters, etc.) that explain/support that issue/idea listed next to them. You may relabel the columns in this template and include the number of pages you will devote to each sub-topic in your research paper as required for Homework #6 in this course SCS224.
Read these sources about literature reviews and concept mapping:
The CREDO Reference database is a compilation of "tertiary sources" meaning reference resources like specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries and informational resources that organize, categorize, collect and summarize information from primary and secondary sources. CREDO provides mind maps for various topics, with an accompanying list of sources. With each click on an item in the mind map, a new list of sources is shown as well as a further iteration of the map with concept at the center.
Clicking on any of the outer points of the Mind Map will lead to a new mind map with that concept at the center and a new list of sources.
Remember that the sources in CREDO help you to understand an overall picture of your topic and the issues embedded within it. You will need to research each of these issues to find scholarly sources for your research paper. The CREDO source can help provide ideas for search terms you might use as your pursue research on your topic.