Desk template · Postgraduate and honours students, researchers and anyone writing a literature review or thesis chapter.

Literature review matrix desk: every source, method and finding side by side

the matrix is a Table — one row per source, columns for method, sample, key finding, theme and gap — grouped by theme so the synthesis is written theme by theme in the Page beside it. Distinct from research-paper (drafting with data) and essay-plan (an argument with word counts).

Suggested widgets: table · webview · file · page · mindmap · markdown

What goes on the desk

Table ‘Matrix’ (Source, Year (number), Method (single select), Sample, Key finding, Theme (single select), Gap, Page or quote reference)
Browser on the library database (widget browser)
File or link widgets for the key PDFs (widget file or link)
Page ‘Synthesis by theme’ (widget page)
Mind map ‘Themes’ (widget mind map)
Markdown ‘Reference list’ (widget markdown).

Set it up

import a CSV exported from your reference manager and map its columns (widget table import); group rows by Theme (widget table filter group); switch to Cards to read one source at a time (table views).

Create a desk named for the real outcome, client or deadline.
Add the suggested widgets and rename each one for the job it performs.
Bring in the existing files or tables before inventing another copy of the information.
Set a due date, add the first visible next action, then save the arrangement as a template if you will repeat it.

Use it day to day

one row per reading, the finding in your own words with its page number; each week write one theme’s paragraph.

A useful desk should reduce copying. Keep each changing fact in one widget, and let charts, summaries or views read from that source.

A worked starting point

Fictional example. Create the desk, add three real items that are already in motion, then use one full work cycle before changing the layout. At the end, remove anything you did not consult and add only the object that would have prevented a real interruption.

Where Plexii helps

Plexii finds the quote and page number and shows its sources; it does not write the review (the line the site holds on university students); Build a table with AI can propose the matrix columns (widget table ai); the Mind map’s AI Expand proposes branches with your own Anthropic key (widget requirements).