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Literature Reviews
Data Extraction with Table
Once you have your literature, you will need to critically analyze the information in those articles. This analysis will help you to
- understand what the literature is saying about your topic,
- understand what the literature is not saying or has not said about your topic, and
- make your own conclusions.
Developing a literature matrix, summary table, or extraction table can help you to effectively analyze and understand the information on your topic in the literature in a focused manner.
Table Elements
Whatever you name the table, you should carefully consider what information to include in your extraction table to ensure that the table and the information within it will help you to accomplish the purpose of your review.
Information in your table may include (a) citation for the author or authors and the country where the study took place; (b) title of the source; (c) the methodology, including the purpose and aim of the study; (d) the sample demographics and size; and (e) the key findings.
Be sure you discuss the topics to include in your table with your supervisor.
A literature matrix, summary table, or extraction table may look like like the following table. A Word template of this sample is also available below the table.
Video
The following 19-minute video offers a lesson on using extraction and thematic tables to organize, analyze, and synthesize information from your literature.
Click here or on the image to access the video in D2L.