Skip to Main Content

Literature Review Development Support

Guide developed to support students (mainly graduate education program students) in their research-based writing

General Statement - Organization

Having an Organization Plan for Developing a Literature Review Will Help You Succeed

Questions to Answer as You Plan

  • How much time do you have? When are the due dates for drafts and revised versions?
  • Are there specific numbers and types of sources you need to cite?
  • Do you have access to sufficient file storage space on your own computer or in a cloud where you can save downloaded files?
  • Are you comfortable with reading online documents or are you going to want to print out files? (Note: Printing will add up to a large number of pages!)
  • Are you interesting in using a reference manager? See the information on Zotero, Mendeley, and other reference management tools on this page.
  • Do you like working with outlines, spreadsheets, electronic annotations, concept maps, or do you prefer text in paragraph format?

Funnel Approach - Lit Reviews

Golden yellow upsidedown triangle labeled top to bottom with Broad, Narrower, Specific in relation to type of information to include

 

Diagram created by Kimberly S. Grotewold using Visme

View a larger version: Funnel Structure for Lit Reviews (Online, Downloadable)

Content Organizers

Synthesis Matrix to Organize Ideas for a Thematic or Integrative Lit Review

The image shows a sample literature review matrix on the broad topic of anxiety in graduate students shared by the University of Arizona Global Campus Writing Center with linked, downloadable versions also provided in the section content.

Sample literature review matrix for graduate students experiences with anxiety

 

  • Basic source citation information for multiple articles, books, etc., is provided in the left-most column.
  • The other columns are for the three themes and then main ideas related to each theme are documented by source.
  • This approach helps the writer keep track of which information came from which source and it shows where multiple sources provide related evidence.
  • In graduate-level writing, it is common to include more than one information source in the same in-text citation. This practice shows that multiple sources of evidence support your ideas

For More Information and a Downloadable Copy:

Notes:

  • Your professor may require to submit a matrix that includes different types of information. Always follow your instructor's guidelines.
  • You may find it easier to use software such as Excel or other tool that allows for more sorting and other capabilities than Word or Google Docs.

Automated Reference Management Tools

  • Available online or as a desktop version with syncing between both
  • Free version provides 300 MB of storage; users can purchase more storage 
  • Can add sources using various identifiers such as doi, ISBN, PMID, etc. The free browser extension offers one-click adding of sources directly from databases and other websites
  • Provides a simple interface for organizing individual collections by topics and subtopics
  • Online version allows shared collections among team members that you invite 
  • Offers a search tool that works across all your collections and sub-collections to find related resources by keywords, author, publication name, etc.
  • Includes note-taking, highlighting, tagging, and annotation tools within the platform
  • Can export formatted reference list entries individually or in groups to documents
  • Downloadable plug-ins for Word and Google Docs support in-text citation 
  • Available in both web-based and desktop versions, but the desktop version has recently changed so look for the most current edition.
  • Allows for individual and collaborative group use
  • Offers free edition with some storage space and group features (2 GB individual storage, 500 MB personal storage within groups, and a max of 25 group members connected to your individual account). Paid plans extend these capacities. 
  • Provides a search interface in addition to the source management library if you link to the A&M-SA Library
  • Includes built in tools for generating references lists, proper in-text citations, annotations, and note-taking
  • Offers a web importer tool browser extension for adding materials to one's library of references from anywhere on the web

Generative AI Tools that Produce Content  -- Warnings!

  • Avoid entering personal, sensitive information into AI tools.
  • It is generally a bad idea to submit for an assignment content that has been produced by an AI tool without any editing/revision by you. It can serve as a step in your writing process but should not be relied upon for the final product.
  • Quality of content generated varies widely. Often it is incomplete or incorrect. You will need to check carefully for errors, omissions, bias, etc.
  • You should expect to disclose how you used the AI tool and what it generated. Many academic journals are requiring disclosure statements if authors use AI tools in their research or writing. (See Nature Portfolio of journals and AI for one example.)
  • Tools that are free now may not always be without cost. The companies may decide to charge for their tools at some time in the future.
  • Using the free tools adds to the data being used by the companies to optimize their products without providing you with any compensation. (Just something to think about)

Organization Strategies & Tools Quiz

Access the quiz for this module:

Organization Strategies & Tools