Once you have collected a batch of articles, the next step is to select the most relevant ones and read them carefully. To ensure your analysis is systematic, you can create an Excel spreadsheet using the “Copy prompt (Table)” prompt to capture key data from each article:

1. Citation Information (APA 7 style, with DOI)
2. Purpose of the Article
3. Methodology
4. Results (expanded to 200–300 words)
5. Suggestions for Future Research

This structured approach will help you subsequently identify research gaps or draft sections of your paper (introduction, literature review, theoretical framework, methodology, and discussion).

It is best to analyze articles one by one and compile the AI-generated results into an Excel file. This allows you to maintain control, double-check accuracy, and ensure the information is correct. If you require specific data points (e.g., predictors of a certain phenomenon), you can add another item to the list (e.g., “6) Predictors”).

Alternatively, instead of an Excel spreadsheet, you can create an MS Word file to paste the analysis results for each document. This format is also convenient for further work, and I personally use it more often. The “Copy prompt (Text)” below allows you to summarize each article, specifying the source, methodology (including the theoretical framework), results, and suggestions for future research. This file is convenient to use for subsequent work on your literature review, theoretical framework, and discussion sections.

These prompts (choose one of the alternatives) will help you systematically break down each article into its core components, preventing you from getting lost in long texts. By instructing the AI to work solely with the uploaded publication, you avoid fabricated data (hallucinations) and ensure the reliability of the analysis. Always double-check, as some LLMs (particularly ChatGPT) may analyze a different article based on author names or prior knowledge, ignoring specific instructions.

• The APA citation with DOI ensures that you can always trace the source of the article.

• An expanded results section (200–300 words) provides enough detail to be useful later, even if you do not have the article right in front of you.

• Clear indications of what is not specified prevent you from mistakenly assuming something was mentioned when it was not.

By compiling these tables in Excel or article summaries in MS Word, you create your own mini-database of literature. This significantly simplifies comparing articles, identifying research gaps, and reusing structured content when writing your introduction, literature review, or methodology sections.

Article Analysis & Data Collection

• • Identify and analyze 15–30 relevant articles.

  • Collect the results in one Excel file, organized into a single sheet.

  • Use the first column for section titles and the following columns for results.

Verification by Colleague

• • Share the Excel file with a colleague.

  • Ask them to cross-check the information against the original articles.

  • Ensure to update and correct the content where necessary.

Distinguishing Review Sources

• • When analyzing review articles, distinguish between fFindings of the review itself and findings of the original articles discussed in the review

  • Always cite the correct source for each finding.

Next Steps

• • The completed Excel file will serve as the basis for future prompts and tasks.