Using the Literature MATRIX
As you read and evaluate your literature there are several different ways to organize your research. One of these ways to organize your work using a “matrix”
Using a matrix to organize your research literature can be an effective way to visually represent and analyze the information you gather. It allows you to categorize and compare different sources based on specific criteria or themes. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create and use a literature matrix:
Step 1: Define your research questions or themes Before creating a matrix, it’s important to identify the key research questions or themes that you want to explore in your literature review. These questions will serve as the basis for organizing your matrix.
Step 2: Determine the criteria for categorization Next, you need to decide on the criteria that you will use to categorize and compare the literature. These criteria can be based on various factors, such as methodology, key findings, theoretical framework, publication date, or any other relevant aspect of your research.
Step 3: Create a table or spreadsheet Set up a table or spreadsheet with the identified research questions or themes as column headers. Each row will represent a different source that you have reviewed. The number of rows will depend on the number of sources you include in your literature review.
Step 4: Fill in the matrix For each source, fill in the corresponding cells in the matrix based on the established criteria. This could involve providing a brief summary of the source, noting key findings, indicating the methodology used, or any other relevant information that helps you compare and evaluate the sources.
Step 5: Analyze and synthesize the information Once you have filled in the matrix, take a step back and analyze the information it presents. Look for patterns, connections, and discrepancies among the sources. This analysis will help you identify gaps in the literature, common themes, conflicting viewpoints, or areas where further research is needed.
Step 6: Draw conclusions and write your literature review Based on your analysis of the matrix, draw conclusions and insights that address your research questions or themes. Use the information from the matrix to structure and write your literature review, incorporating the findings and arguments presented by the different sources.
Step 7: Update and refine the matrix As you continue to review and evaluate additional literature, update and refine your matrix accordingly. You may find it helpful to color-code or use symbols in the matrix to indicate the quality or relevance of each source.
Using a literature matrix provides a visual representation of your research findings and facilitates the synthesis of information from multiple sources. It enables you to compare and contrast different perspectives and helps in identifying the most relevant and valuable sources for your study.