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Literature Review Catalog

Our trusted literature review catalog, with a real example. Free to use. Instant access.

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What it covers

Losing track of what you’ve read costs you later, re-finding a source or rereading a paper to recover a quote you didn’t note down the first time. This literature review catalog, the same format we’ve used with 10,000+ students, keeps every source logged in one place as you go.

It’s a Google Sheet with four tabs. The first is your source log, where you record every piece of literature you read, and it arrives with roughly three dozen real citations already filled in as a worked example — clear it out once you’ve seen how much detail each column expects, then start logging your own reading. The other three tabs, Theoretical Frameworks, Measures & Scales, and Interview & Survey Questions, are blank on purpose: a place to paste in examples of each as you come across them in the literature, so they’re on hand later instead of buried in a paper you’ve already filed away.

The source log tracks:

Author(s) & Year (standard citation info)
Resource Title
Citations & Citations PA (total citation count, and citations per year since publication — a fast way to gauge how established a source is versus how new)
Primary Category & Secondary Category (your own topic tags, however you want to group your reading)
Abstract (paste it in rather than retyping it)
Key Arguments & Takeaways (the column to spend real time on, since this is what you’ll draw from when you write)
Useful Quotes (anything you might cite directly, with the page number)
Other Notes (anything else worth flagging for later)

Of course, you’re welcome to add or delete columns as you see fit.

Frequently asked questions

What format is the template (DOC, PDF, PPT, etc.)?

The literature review catalog template is provided as a Google Sheet (spreadsheet). You can download it in MS Excel format or make a copy to your Google Drive. You’re also welcome to convert it to whatever format works best for you.

Which literature reviews can this be used for?

Any type: a standard narrative review, a systematic literature review, or anything in between. The columns track sources and arguments, not a specific review methodology.

Is this for undergrad, Master or PhD-level work?

Any level of study. A doctoral literature review usually logs more sources and leans harder on the Key Arguments column, but the structure stays the same.

What information will I need to fill in?

All eight columns from the source log above, one row per piece of literature. Author(s), Year and Resource Title are quick lookups; Key Arguments & Takeaways is the one worth slowing down for, since it’s what you’ll actually draw from when you write.

Why does the catalog already have entries in it?

Those rows are a worked example, not blank fields waiting for you — about three dozen real papers on one topic, logged the way we’d log them ourselves. Use them to see how much detail goes in each column, then clear them and start your own list.

What are the other three tabs for?

Theoretical Frameworks, Measures & Scales, and Interview & Survey Questions are empty tabs for pasting in examples you come across while reading, so they’re on hand later instead of buried in a paper you’ve already filed away.

How should I use the catalog once it’s populated?

Three spreadsheet features do most of the work: Find (Ctrl+F) for a specific keyword, Filter for a group (by Primary Category or Author, say), and Sort for ordering by Year or Citations.

Can I modify the template to suit my study?

Yes. Add or remove columns, rename the category tags, or drop a tab you won’t use. It’s your copy once you make one.

Can I share this template with my friends/colleagues?

Yes, you’re welcome to share this template in its original format (no editing allowed). If you want to post about it on your blog or social media, all we ask is that you reference this page as your source.

Do you have templates for the other chapters?

Yes, we do. You can find our full collection of templates here.

Can Grad Coach help me with my literature review?

Yes, you’re welcome to get in touch with us to discuss our private coaching services, where we can help you work through the literature review chapter (and any other chapters).