Creating a literature review matrix

1.    List all authors used in chronological order on the left-hand column

2.    Select 4-6(usually) key themes/issues etc. from your reading and place these along the top of the table

3.    Cross-reference each author to the key theme or issue

4.    Some authors may not fit in anywhere – you should then discuss this in the literature review, as it begs the question: why are they included?

5.    The matrix is only a useful tool; don’t spend weeks and weeks on it. You do not have to be absolutely precise with the cross-referencing – just give the reader an indication of what each author has said/argued etc.

Usually, a matrix is only used for the literature review and not for all authors used in all sections of the dissertation. A secondary research study may wish to consider using the matrix for all authors used throughout the work