Analysis and critical evaluation of research previously done on your topic.
A literature review helps you:
You will cite articles, standards, books, etc. on your topic that helped you develop your project (ideas, processes, models, useful quotations).
Take notes as you read!
Use a Synthesis Matrix, local version below adapted from the Synthesis Matrix technique developed by North Carolina State University).
|
Paper 1 |
Paper 2 |
Paper 3 |
Paper 4 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Main Theme/Idea 1: |
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: |
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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