Questions? Ask Me!
Read and summarize
Now it's time to read and evaluate each of the articles you found in your research.
If you find an article isn't relevant or helpful, you can exclude it from your review. However, make sure that you don't exclude an article just because its findings don't match with other articles. Remember that part of a literature review is to point out inconsistencies!
Take notes as you read!
Make note of common themes you encounter in your readings. (These themes might become sub-headings in your literature review.) You might even want to create an annotated bibliography. You won't turn this in, but it will serve as a useful summary for you when you go to write the actual review.
Synthesize
A useful tool for writing literature reviews is to create a synthesis matrix. Each row represents a common theme or point; each column represents an article you read.
The table below is a sample matrix created by Becky Menendez, who adapted it from North Carolina State University.
Things to note:
- The authors' names are listed across the top row
- The subtopics are listed across the left-most column
- Include some quotations, but for the most part, paraphrase or summarize
- Include page numbers for direct quotations in case you need to refer back to them
Cornelson | Stewart | Bruley | Scott | |
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Alteration of women's roles because of WWII |
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Hardships and oppositions women faced |
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Opposition: WWII did NOT effect women |
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