Synthesis is the process of combining several sources of information and ideas. It is important to note that synthesizing and summarizing are not the same. Summarizing involves simply restating the information in sources, whereas synthesizing involves taking what other sources say about a topic and using it to draw broader conclusions and add your voice to the scholarly "conversation."
Synthesis requires a critical reading of the scholarly literature addressing your research topic. It is important to notice connections between ideas and information, noting how different information sources address the topic. The University of Arizona Global Campus offers the following advice:
One great way to think about synthesis is to think about the authors of the research discussing the topic at a research conference. They would not individually share summaries of their research; rather, the conversation would be dynamic as they shared similarities and differences in their findings. As you write your paragraphs, focus on a back and forth conversation between the researchers. (Credit: University of Arizona Global Campus | Synthesis: What Steps Do I Need to Take to Reach Synthesis?)
Critical reading of information sources is essential to effective synthesis, but equally important is staying organized as you research. To help organize your research, you can create a synthesis matrix, a table used to document your sources and how they address your research topic. A synthesis matrix can provide a visual representation of how scholarly literature addresses a particular topic. See the Synthesis Matrix page of this guide to learn more.
Video Credit: Utah State University Libraries | USU Libraries on YouTube | Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Do you need more information about synthesis or how it works? Check out these online resources. If you have any questions, please contact a librarian!
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