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Lit Review: Writing Your Review

Organize Your Information

Create a literature matrix to organize the major themes of each source. This can make it easier to visualize themes, spot outliers, and group similar sources.

Author, Date

Research Question

Theoretical Framework

Methods: Sample, Study size

Major Findings

Limitations; Gaps

Conclusions

Implications for Future Research 

 Themes Other Important Issues
                   
                   

Table Credit: Nita Bryant, Ph.D.  Behavioral & Social Sciences Research Librarian, Virginia Commonwealth University

Need Help with Your Writing?

The Writing Center Can Help!

The SDSU Writing Center serves all students enrolled in the university, both graduate and undergraduate.

Get Help With

  • Generating & Developing Ideas
  • Outlining & Organizing Your Review
  • Applying & Strengthening Rhetorical Strategies
  • Revision Strategies
  • Documenting Sources

Graduate Students: Call to make an appointment.

  • Location: 103 Briggs Library
  • Call 605.668.6559
  • Appointments last 45 minutes.

(Undergraduates can schedule an appointment online through ConnectState.)

For more information, visit the Writing Center website or contact the Coordinator -- Nathan Serfling

Examples

D'Antoni, M., & Saro, O. (2012). Massive solar-thermal collectors: a critical literature review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(6), 3666-3679. 

Lodal, K., & Bond, C. (2016). The relationship between motor skills difficulties and self-esteem in children and adolescents: a systematic literature review. Educational Psychology in Practice, 32(4), 410-423. 

Sharma, R., Kamble, S., & Gunasekaran, A. (2018). Big GIS analytics framework for agriculture supply chains: a literature review identifying the current trends and future perspectives. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 155, 103-120. 

Organize Your Literature Review

Resources

Rocco, Tonette S, and Plakhotnik, Maria S. “Literature Reviews, Conceptual Frameworks, and Theoretical Frameworks: Terms, Functions, and Distinctions.” Human Resource Development Review, vol. 8, no. 1, 2009, pp. 120–130.