Getting Started with…Literature Review Matrix

The Literature Review Matrix is intended to be critical exploration and evaluation of scholarly writings on a topic(in this case, your information community). In your formal research paper, the literature review provides context and background for your own study and illustrates how your research will contribute to a particular area of study.This assignment meets the INFO 200’s learning goals #1-3, and will give you experience in synthesizing the articles you have located concerning your community’s information behaviors. You will use this organizational tool to help you prepare for writing the literature review section of your research paper.

I am launching this post early so you can start plugging in your relevant research. INFO 200 instructors have found that starting early be most useful. 🙂

Literature Review Matrix

Download the example Literature Review Matrix with three entries:LitReviewMatrix_INFO200EXAMPLE

Getting Started

Download the template here:  LitReviewMatrixTemplate_INFO200Rev5

Then follow the steps on the assignment and helper page. 

3 thoughts on “Getting Started with…Literature Review Matrix

  1. Kevin M

    @michael I started playing with the Lit Review Matrix template (yikes haha), starting by inputting the info from my article in Blog 4. Can you clarify the Theoretical/Conceptual Framework column? Looking at the examples, I’m a little unclear how to execute it.
    Also, am I ok to use an article I found before it was assigned (Hartel et al on SL and Hektor) as it’s highly relevant to my writing? Or does this Matrix not have to encompass the main articles I’ll be using in my research paper and I should use others I have found for this?

  2. Michael Stephens Post author

    @kevinm So glad you asked this question. I opened up the video above and discovered it is a previous version…not the most recently recorded one. I spent a bit more time in the newest video on that column. From the recording:

    I want to hone in on the theoretical and conceptual framework section. That is, are they testing a theory or a model, for example, maybe they’re using information poverty or everyday life information seeking or radical change theory or something like that. That would go in there. 
If it’s a conceptual framework, it may be testing a certain concept related to the information community and their information behaviors and needs.

    This may be of interest too – from a ResearchGate definition:

    A conceptual paper is a type of research paper that discusses one or more abstract or theoretical concepts or ideas. It usually includes a discussion of the relevant literature and a description of the concept(s) being addressed. Conceptual papers typically aim to propose new or enhanced theories or frameworks, or to suggest new directions for research.

  3. Kevin M

    @michael Thank you so much for this and for posting the updated video! I definitely get the theory or model aspect but have to wrap my head a little more around the conceptual framework, which feels more abstract. It seems to be an offshoot of the main idea when looking at the examples. I think I’ll get there with practice, adding other articles.

    Also, I just wanted to confirm whether I’m ok or not including the Hartel et al Hektor article even though it was ultimately assigned.

    Thanks again!

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