Transform scattered notes into a structured synthesis. Our literature review matrix template helps you compare, contrast, and evaluate sources systematically to identify research gaps and themes.
A comprehensive framework to capture everything you need from each source
Author(s), publication year, journal/conference, DOI, and citation count for proper referencing and impact assessment.
Research design, sample size, data collection methods, analytical approach, and methodological limitations.
Main results, theoretical contributions, practical implications, and author-identified limitations.
Get the Excel or Word template. Add or remove columns based on your discipline and research questions.
Complete one row per source as you work through your literature. Include page numbers for quick reference.
Use consistent keywords to group sources by theme, methodology, or theoretical perspective.
Filter by theme to see patterns, contradictions, and gaps. Use the matrix as your writing outline.
Trusted by doctoral candidates and postgraduates across all disciplines for efficient literature organisation.
A ready-to-use structure with sample data to guide your entries
| # | Author & Year | Research Question/Purpose | Methodology | Key Findings | Themes | Quality Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smith, J. (2022) | Impact of remote work on academic productivity | Quantitative survey (n=245) | Remote work increased productivity by 18% in research-focused tasks | Productivity Remote Work | High |
| 2 | Johnson & Lee (2021) | Collaboration patterns in hybrid research teams | Mixed methods (interviews + metrics) | Hybrid teams showed 12% higher publication output but reported coordination challenges | Collaboration Hybrid | High |
| 3 | Patel, R. (2023) | Gender disparities in research funding allocation | Longitudinal analysis (2010-2022) | Funding gap narrowed but persists in STEM fields, particularly engineering | Gender Funding | Medium |
| 4 | Williams et al. (2020) | Open access impact on citation rates | Bibliometric analysis (15,000 papers) | OA papers receive 47% more citations than subscription-access counterparts | Open Access Citations | High |
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