Appendix F: Literature Review Matrix
Below is a Literature Review Matrix with an example of how it would be filled in.
| Author/Date | Theoretical/ Conceptual Framework | Research Question(s)/Hypotheses | Methodology | Analysis & Results | Conclusions | Strengths of Research | Limitations of Research |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This is an easy way to keep references organized | What is the overarching perspective or position of the author(s)? Identified theory or framework? | This should be clearly stated somewhere in the paper; handy to have it at a glance! | How did the author(s) address the research question?
Method? Sample? Analytic process? |
What were the findings? The results? Also check the ‘Discussion” section of journal articles for results. | What is the ‘answer’ to the research question? Why is the study important?
Often found in the ‘Discussion’ section of journal articles, and also in the conclusion. |
What does the study do well? Think about this in relation to your RQ! | What questions can the study not answer? Think about this in relation to your RQ! |
|
Stevenson (2018)
|
Human-animal bond; pets just as important to men as women in IPV situations; Masculinities theory | What is the role that pets play in situations of intimate partner violence, from the perspective of the male partner? | 24 Interviews with men who had pets in relationship; three groups of men (serious IPV, less Serious IPV; no IPV); Thematic analysis (iterative, loosely following Braun and Clarke) | Major themes: unconditional love from pets but not partners; ability to trust pets but not partners; pets as possible protective factor from future abuse | Pets are an important positive relationship in the lives of men who have committed abuse against their partners; provide love and opportunity to do masculinity in a pro-social way; opportunities for inclusion of human-animal relationship in DV interventions | Understudied population; in-depth interviews using men’s voice; show similar themes to women who have experienced IPV | Small sample; no inclusion of men who committed animal mistreatment (direction for future research) |
