MODULE 3
Organise research information, synthesise source-based knowledge and transform research concepts into structured mind maps and literature matrices.
ORGANISE · SYNTHESISE · CONNECTBEFORE YOU START
Trace every connection to a source: Whatever tool you use, every theme, cluster or relationship in your map should be traceable back to an actual paper or note, and not invented by the AI.
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drshahizan.github.io/bdc/module-3-knowledge-organisation.html
Trainer's Tip, Dr. Shahizan
A mind map is only useful if you can still explain it a week later. Before you move on, talk through your map out loud to a labmate. If you cannot explain a link between two nodes, it probably needs a source or it needs to go.
EXERCISE 3.1
Describe the sources or notes you want to organise. The builder assembles a ready-to-use prompt asking an AI chat tool to structure them into a synthesis matrix, timeline, mind map outline or theoretical framework map.
WORKED EXAMPLE
Sample input: Sources: "Smith 2021, Lee 2022, Tan 2023 on AI in higher education" · Goal: Thematic synthesis matrix · Format: Table · Detail: Brief overview
EXERCISE 3.2
A research matrix is a table that forces structure onto messy source material or study design, one row per source, question or theme, so patterns, gaps and inconsistencies become visible at a glance instead of staying buried across separate papers or notes. Pick the type that matches what you need right now.
Organises past studies by author, year, method and findings, one row per source, so you can compare them side by side and spot what the literature has not yet answered.
Best for finding research gaps| Author, Year | Method | Key Finding | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith 2021 | Survey, n=210 | AI feedback speeds up drafting | Long-term retention not measured |
| Lee 2022 | Case study | Students value fast feedback | Single institution, small sample |
Aligns your own study's core components, research questions, objectives, methods and data sources, in one row per question, so you can check every part of your design is logically consistent.
Best for checking your own study| Research Question | Objective | Method | Data Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does AI feedback improve revision quality? | Compare revision quality with and without AI feedback | Quasi-experimental | Pre/post writing samples |
Groups sources by common theme or idea rather than by individual article, one row per theme, so you can see how the literature clusters and where sources agree or disagree.
Best for writing your literature review| Theme | Supporting Sources |
|---|---|
| AI improves drafting speed | Smith 2021; Lee 2022; Tan 2023 |
| Feedback quality varies by tool | Lee 2022; Wong 2023 |
READY-TO-USE PROMPTS
Paste your own sources or study details in place of the bracketed instructions, then run the prompt in your AI chat tool of choice.
LITERATURE REVIEW MATRIX
Act as a research assistant helping me build a literature review matrix. Sources to include (author, year, and a short description or abstract of each): [PASTE YOUR SOURCES HERE] Organise them into a table with these columns: Author & Year, Purpose/Objective, Method & Sample, Key Findings, Limitations, Gap or Question This Raises. Base every cell only on the sources I provided. Do not invent findings, methods or authors. If a source does not report a column's information, write "Not reported" instead of guessing. After the table, list 2 to 3 possible research gaps suggested by patterns across the rows.
RESEARCH DESIGN MATRIX
Act as a research supervisor helping me check the alignment of my study. My research questions: [LIST YOUR RESEARCH QUESTIONS] My objectives: [LIST YOUR OBJECTIVES] My proposed method(s): [LIST YOUR METHODS] Build a table with one row per research question and these columns: Research Question, Objective, Variables or Constructs, Method, Data Source or Instrument. Check whether each research question logically aligns with its objective and method. Flag any row where the method does not seem capable of answering the stated question, and explain why.
SYNTHESIS MATRIX
Act as a research assistant helping me build a thematic synthesis matrix. Sources (author, year, and a short description or key points of each): [PASTE YOUR SOURCES HERE] Identify 3 to 6 recurring themes across these sources. Build a table with themes as rows and sources as columns, marking which sources discuss each theme and a one-line note on their position. Ground every theme in the sources provided. Do not invent a theme that is not actually discussed. Note any theme where sources disagree or contradict each other.
CUSTOM PROMPT
Choose a matrix type, describe your own sources or study components, and the builder assembles a tailored prompt with matching columns.
DURING THIS EXERCISE
A matrix is a thinking tool, not a citation: Every row must trace back to a real source or a real part of your study. If the AI cannot find the information, it should say so, not fill the cell with something plausible-sounding.
EXERCISE 3.3
Before you let an AI tool draw a mind map for you, try extracting the concepts and relationships yourself from one abstract. Comparing your manual map against the AI's version shows you exactly what a source-grounded tool adds, and what it might miss.
| Concept | Relationship | Concept |
|---|---|---|
| AI feedback | reduces | time spent on revision |
| Time spent on revision | correlates with | student satisfaction |
CONCEPT EXTRACTION PROMPT
Act as a research assistant helping me build a concept map from a single abstract. Abstract: [PASTE THE ABSTRACT HERE] Extract the key concepts in this abstract, then list how each pair of related concepts connects, as a set of "Concept, Relationship, Concept" triples suitable for a mind map. Ground every triple strictly in the wording of the abstract. Do not add outside knowledge, and do not infer a relationship the abstract does not actually state.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
Structured mind maps with outline, tree and fishbone diagram views for organising themes and sub-themes.
Visit Xmind →Transforms Markdown outlines into interactive mind maps for organising research concepts.
Visit Markmap →Online collaborative mind-mapping tool for organising concepts, projects and research ideas.
Visit MindMeister →Link notes, sources and concepts into a navigable knowledge graph.
Visit Obsidian →Generate a mind map directly from your uploaded, verified sources.
Visit Gemini Notebook →Database views and linked pages for building a running literature matrix.
Visit Notion →Collaborative online whiteboard for clustering literature notes, sticky-note theming and framework diagrams.
Visit Miro →Fast, lightweight mind maps, flowcharts and wireframes for early-stage concept structuring.
Visit Whimsical →RELATED TOOLS & PROMPTS
Compare uploaded sources, synthesise evidence and build a defensible research gap.
Explore Gemini Notebook Prompts → 24 STUDIO PROMPTSGenerate a mind map, infographic or report directly from your verified sources.
Explore Studio Prompts → REVIEW & EVIDENCE ANALYSISCurated tools to organise, screen and synthesise evidence at scale.
Explore Review Tools →WHY USE AI HERE
| Task | Traditional approach | AI-assisted approach |
|---|---|---|
| Clustering themes | Sort sticky notes or index cards by hand | KO Prompt Builder or Gemini Notebook Studio clusters themes from your sources in seconds |
| Drawing the mind map | Sketch by hand or manually place nodes one at a time | Markmap or Xmind render a full map instantly from a text outline |
| Tracing themes to sources | Flip between your notes and the map to check each link | A source-grounded prompt keeps every theme traceable to a named source |
| Updating as new papers arrive | Redraw or manually re-cluster the whole map | Re-run the same prompt with the new sources added |
The trade-off: AI speeds up structuring; you still confirm every theme and connection is grounded in a real source.
RECAP
SELF-CHECK
5 MODULES · 1 DAY
Review timings for every module, breaks and the closing wrap-up.
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