Writing a Literature Review
Unless you have a reason to present the literature chronologically (to show development over time, perhaps), the preferred method for organizing your literature is thematically.
Step 1: Identify your themes.
Step 2: Identify the articles that address those themes
Step 3: Identify the similarities and differences among the articles within the themes
A Literature Synthesis Matrix will be especially helpful in this process.
In essence a synthesis matrix is a way to organize your literature by theme, which is generally the way writers organize their whole literature reviews.
North Carolina State has a very nice description and example of the process.
This YouTube video also explains the process.
Get started with a synthesis matrix template below. You can choose a template in Word or Excel format.
This video gives examples of how to write an evidence synthesis.
