TimelyScholarFree Tools › Synthesis Matrix Template
Organise your sources by theme in an online synthesis matrix. Add a row per source and a column per theme, then read down the columns to find agreements, debates and gaps.
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Read down each theme column to spot agreements, contradictions and gaps across sources; these become the paragraphs of your review. Your matrix is saved in this browser only.
Edit the column headings.
Note what each source says about each theme.
Each column becomes a section of your review.
A synthesis matrix records the main points of each source under shared themes, so you can see how sources relate to one another rather than summarising them one by one.
Reading down each column shows patterns, contradictions and gaps across the literature, which is the basis of a synthesised, not merely descriptive, review.
After an initial reading of your sources, then refine them as you go.