Free template · Academic & Research
Literature Review Matrix Template
A literature review matrix is a table where each row is one source and each column records the same things about it: research question, method, sample, key findings, and how it relates to your themes. Filling it in as you read turns a pile of papers into patterns, agreements and gaps you can write about.
Who it's for: Master's and PhD students, researchers writing a review chapter, and anyone doing a systematic or scoping review.
Free, no email needed. Google Sheets: download the .xlsx, then File > Import > Upload.
Preview
These are the real columns with example rows. Click Try it here to type your own rows and download them.
| Citation | Research question | Method | Sample | Key findings | Theme | Limitations | Gap it leaves | How I'll use it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nguyen et al. (2023) | Does remote work reduce burnout? | Longitudinal survey | 1,204 UK office workers | Burnout fell 12% in year one, then rose | Wellbeing over time | Self-reported, one country | No data after year two | Contrast with Patel (2021) |
| Patel (2021) | How does home setup affect focus? | Diary study | 48 knowledge workers | Dedicated room linked to longer focus blocks | Work environment | Small sample | No link to burnout | Background for theme 2 |
| Okafor & Lin (2022) | Do managers trust remote teams less? | Interviews | 31 managers, 5 firms | Trust depended on output visibility | Management | Tech sector only | Non-tech roles missing | Support main argument |
What goes in each column
| Column | What goes in it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Citation | Author, year and short title, in the style you will cite it | Nguyen et al. (2023) |
| Research question | What the study set out to answer, in one line | Does remote work reduce burnout? |
| Method | Design and data collection | Longitudinal survey |
| Sample | Who or what was studied, and how many | 1,204 UK office workers |
| Key findings | The two or three results you will actually use | Burnout fell 12% in year one, then rose |
| Theme | Which theme of your review this source feeds | Wellbeing over time |
| Limitations | What the authors admit, plus what you notice | Self-reported, one country |
| Gap it leaves | The question this source does not answer | No data after year two |
| How I'll use it | Support, contrast, or background | Contrast with Patel (2021) |
Why these columns: The columns follow the question most supervisors ask of a review: what is known, how do we know it, and what is still missing. Research question, Method and Sample answer how; Key findings answers what; Gap it leaves answers what is missing. The Theme and How I'll use it columns are what turn the table into a chapter plan.
How to use it in 5 steps
- Decide your themes first, even rough ones. They become the Theme column and stop the matrix turning into a reading log.
- Add one row per source as you read, not afterwards. Two lines per cell is enough.
- Fill Key findings with results you will quote, not a summary of the abstract.
- Sort or filter by Theme. Each theme's rows become one section of your review.
- Read down the Gap column. Repeated gaps are the strongest case for your own study.
Spreadsheet, dedicated software, or Notion?
| Option | Best for | Falls short when |
|---|---|---|
| This spreadsheet | Quick start, easy to share with a supervisor, sorts and filters well | Long notes get cramped; no link between a source and your chapter drafts |
| Reference manager (Zotero, Mendeley) | Storing PDFs and generating citations | Not built for comparing sources side by side across themes |
| Notion version | Linking sources to themes, notes and chapters in one place | Needs Notion; overkill for a ten-source essay |
If the free spreadsheet does everything you need, stick with it. The Notion version is for when you want the pieces connected.
Want it connected? PhD Dissertation Planner & Research OS
The spreadsheet is one table. The Notion system links it to everything around it:
- Sources, notes, chapters and themes linked, so every chapter shows the sources behind it
- Supervisor meeting log with actions carried into your task list
- Chapter tracker with word counts and deadlines
- One dashboard for the whole thesis instead of separate files
See PhD Dissertation Planner & Research OS
Instant duplicate link after purchase.
Questions
What is the difference between a literature review matrix and an annotated bibliography?
An annotated bibliography describes each source on its own. A matrix records the same fields for every source in columns, so you can compare them side by side and see patterns across the literature.
How many sources should a literature review matrix have?
As many as your review cites. A master's dissertation often uses 20 to 50; a PhD review can pass 100. The matrix works the same either way, and filtering by theme keeps it usable.
Should I use Excel or Google Sheets?
Either. Google Sheets is easier to share with a supervisor; Excel works offline. The download works in both.
Can I add my own columns?
Yes. Common additions are Country, Year of data collection, Theory used, and Quality rating for systematic reviews.