Description

The literature matrix assignment is an organizational tool to help you prepare for writing the literature review section of your research paper. This assignment is designed to introduce you to LIS databases and other information sources and get you started on your information community research. (Course Learning Outcomes: #1, #2 and #3)

By completing this matrix assignment you will:

• Focus your literature search
• Develop reading and summarizing skills
• Hone citation skills
• Build understanding about research on your selected information community
• Reflect, analyze and gain new perspectives on your information community’s information behavior and use

Use the template provided to organize your selected scholarly research and professional resources. Be sure to fill in each of the template components in order to capture all key elements of each article and organize your thoughts on how each fits in the research landscape.

Requirements 

Using LIS databases and other pertinent information sources, locate 10 to 12 secondary sources about the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of the information community you are researching.  At least 8 of these sources must be scholarly, peer-reviewed studies (books and articles) related to your community’s information use.  The remaining sources can be professional or popular in orientation but still must provide useful data regarding your information community.

Format

**Download the Literature Matrix Template here.

Begin by defining your selected information community and the value of studying the chosen community. Your research should focus on understanding the information seeking behaviors and needs of your chosen community.

Search LIS and related databases.  Identify scholarly and popular sources that research on and/or discuss the information behavior and needs of your information community. Collect the APA citations for each source.  (If you have trouble locating appropriate materials check in with the iSchool King Library library liaison, Ann Agee (ann.agee@sjsu.edu), who can provide support.)

Using the Literature Review Matrix, for each source use one row to provide details about the article (e.g. authors, main ideas, methods, analysis, results, assumptions, conclusions) and your analysis of it (e.g. your conclusions distinct from the authors and the implications you see).  Do this for 10-12 sources. At least 8 must be scholarly, peer-reviewed studies, as noted above.