I have collected some research papers and I just use excel sheet for including all related things for literature review (means, about the paper, methodology, research gaps, findings, relevancy to my research title, future works and etc)
Writing a high-quality literature review suitable for Q1/Q2 journals requires a structured and critical approach beyond just collecting and summarizing research papers. Here are key steps and tips to help you elevate your literature review:
Organize your sources effectively: Using an Excel sheet, as you mentioned, is a great start to track important details such as methodology, findings, gaps, and relevance. Ensure you also note the strengths and limitations of each study.
Critical analysis, not just summary: Go beyond describing what each paper reports. Compare and contrast studies, discuss conflicting findings, and identify trends or patterns in the research area.
Identify research gaps clearly: Highlight areas that have been underexplored or questions that remain unanswered. This justifies your own research.
Thematic or conceptual structuring: Organize the review by themes, theories, methodologies, or chronological developments rather than listing studies one by one. This helps create a coherent narrative.
Connect to your research: Continuously link the literature back to your specific research question or hypothesis. Explain how your work will address the gaps or build on previous findings.
Use recent and high-impact sources: Prioritize recent publications from reputable journals (Q1/Q2), but also include seminal works. This demonstrates awareness of the current state of knowledge.
Maintain academic tone and clarity: Write clearly, use precise language, and avoid plagiarism by properly citing all sources.
Synthesize and conclude: End the review with a summary of key insights and explicitly state how they support the need for your study.
If you'd like, I can also share examples of literature reviews from Q1/Q2 journals that might help guide your writing.