A literature review is an analysis and critical evaluation of research previously done on your topic.
A literature review helps you:
You will the cite articles, standards, books, etc. on your topic that helped you develop your project (ideas, processes, models, useful quotations).
Pick the one that works best for you.
Take notes as you read!
Use a Synthesis Matrix, using Synthesis Matrix technique developed by North Carolina State University.
|
Paper 1 |
Paper 2 |
Paper 3 |
Paper 4 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Main Theme/Idea 1: Preferred materials |
Note/information and page number |
Cadmium telluride (page 312) |
Copper-indium selenide (page 1209) |
Polycrystalline silicon (page 54) |
|
Main Theme/Idea 2: Efficiency of solar cell |
Leave blank if a paper does not discuss a main idea |
12% under STP (page 65) |
15% (page 1215) |
22% at 45 degrees Celsius (page 56) |
|
Main Theme/Idea 3: Use of thin-film solar cells |
Also make a note if an author does not agree with the main idea |
Depending on application, can be preferred (page 320) |
Cannot be used above 50 degrees Celsius (page 1213) |
Not preferred - cost to efficiency of silicon is higher (page 59) |
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