Compare papers side by side with the Matrix

Pull method, sample and findings from every paper into one table, with source quotes.

Step 1: Open a project and choose Matrix

From LearnSpace → My Research, open a project, then the Matrix tab. It appears at undergraduate level and above; change your level in the Brief if you do not see it.

Step 2: Pick a starting set of columns

Choose a preset for your field — General, Health and medicine (PICO), Computer science, or Social science — or write your own column.

Step 3: Write a narrow question for each column

Ask for one specific thing, like "How many participants took part?". Narrow questions get quotable answers; broad ones get vague ones.

Step 4: Click "Fill matrix" and check the count

It tells you exactly what it will do first — for example "23 papers × 4 columns = 92 extractions" — and waits for you to click. Only papers with empty cells are read, so you are never charged twice for the same work.

Step 5: Check the quotes

Click the ❝ mark in any cell to see the exact sentence the answer came from. If there is no quote, the cell is marked "not stated" instead of guessed.

Step 6: Write your own answers

Click any cell to type over it. Your own answers are marked with a pencil and never carry a quote, because they are yours rather than the paper’s.

Open Compare papers side by side with the Matrix in the app (sign-in required).