Skip to Main Content

Course & Subject Guides

MEd in Curriculum and Instruction

This guide is designed as a resource for students in the MEd in Curriculum and Instruction program

Keeping Track of Your Sources

You're going to be looking through a lot of materials for your review, and it's easy to loose track of a particular citation or how you got to a source.  Managing and keeping track of the literature you find is important.  There are several different systems you can use to keep track of your literature -- a notebook, note cards, an online document, a Word document, a citation manager, whatever format you prefer -- but select one that works for you.  Be sure to track:

  • Where you searched (name of database, catalog, etc.)
  • When you searched
  • Search terms and combinations of terms that were successful
  • Search terms and combinations of terms that were not successful
  • Searches or leads you want to pursue next

Using a Citation Manager

Keep track of all of your reference lists and bibliographies. Pitt's library resources work with citation management tools and allow you to import citations from sources like PITTCat+ and article databases. 

Research Log

Some of us think in a more linear way and find it useful to enter notes in tables rather than note cards.  This table is one illustration of what types of information you can gather from the articles or books that you read, and more examples of this system below.

Notes Table

Literature Review Matrix

Note Card System

Using index cards and note cards is a classic system for tracking multiple sources.  You can buy 3x5" or 5x7" cards at any office supply store.

  • Use index cards to keep notes and track sources used in your paper.
  • Create Work Cited card for each source.
    • Include the citation (i.e., author, title, publisher, date, page numbers, etc.) in APA format. It will be easier to organize the sources alphabetically when creating the References page.
    • Number each source card.  You will use this number when making out your note cards.
  • On each note card:
    • Use only one side to record a single idea, fact or quote from one source. It will be easier to lay them out & rearrange them when it comes time to organize your paper.  
    • Include a heading or key words at the top of the card. 
    • Include the Work Cited source card number.
    • Include the page number where you found the information.
  • Taking notes:
    • Use abbreviations, acronyms, or incomplete sentences to record information to speed up the notetaking process.
    • Write down only the information that answers your research questions.
    • Use symbols, diagrams, charts or drawings to simplify and visualize ideas.