What is a research synthesis? How does a research synthesis differ from a summary? Post your research syntheses of two journal articles(Good Communication at work can open the gateway to better relations) and (Nonverbal Behavior and Communication in workp
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Synthesizing Sources
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In short, a synthesis simply combines elements from multiple sources to form a whole; in this case, the “whole” is a theme or argument (i.e., thesis) within your paper.
Synthesizing involves identifying patterns and similarities/differences among sources; critically analyzing strengths, weaknesses, methods, and findings of sources; and, identifying and exploring gaps in knowledge to determine what you, as a student, can contribute to future research on the topic.
Synthesizing Sources: What does it mean?
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According to Jamieson (1999), there are five tasks required for effectively synthesizing source material:
Frame the Subject
Gather Material
Organize Information
Write the Synthesis
Unify the Presentation
Five Tasks in Synthesizing
At this point, you should have already identified a potential research topic and gathered research material that is both relevant and current.
The next step, organizing your information, is crucial in writing effective syntheses because it allows you to easily identify how you can make connections between sources.
Ultimately, these “connections” will evolve into potential themes for your paper.
“Connections” is used here in a general sense to indicate any type of relationship between sources:
Similarities or agreement
Opposing viewpoints
Contradictory findings
Varying opinions
Framing the Subject & Gathering Material
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You will need to read through each of your source texts at least twice.
The first time through, you will begin to get an overall sense of where you can make connections.
The second time through, you will need to make strategic annotations (take notes, highlight, underline, etc.).
Try and indicate similar or connecting ideas by using a different method of annotation for each emerging theme.
Let’s say that a cursory reading of research related to the topic of human behavior indicates that there are several factors (i.e., themes) that we have discovered to explain what motivates human behavior: self-concept, reward, internal forces, autonomy and self-control, and narcissism.
Organizing Information
Lists can be very helpful when organizing your information
List 1: Summary of info that is in all sources (probably means this is CENTRAL information)
List 2: Summary of info that is in some sources (could be CENTRAL; could be PERIPHERAL)
List 3: Information that is NOT shared among sources (probably PERIPHERAL -- meaning, specific to the source you are reading, but not necessarily to your research)
Organizing Information
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The synthesis matrix is by far one of the most useful tools that you can use to create an “at-a-glance” reference for synthesizing sources.
The Synthesis Matrix
In addition to identifying conflicts and points of agreement among sources, here are some more suggestions for writing a highly effective synthesis:
Connect facts with interpretations
For example, Karl Marx’s theory of history (interpretation) is connected to the observable social phenomenon of class struggle (fact).
Discuss all relevant data, including evidence that is contrary to your thesis.
Do not use quotes or data out of context: stay true to the original author’s intentions.
Writing the Synthesis
The Background Synthesis
This is a good example of an introduction because it has a topic sentence which indicates what will be covered and also tells the reader the specific focus of the literature review in the concluding sentence.
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Synthesis Paragraph Including Analysis
It is important to integrate your analysis and interpretation of the literature in your literature review. Reading the above paragraph we see how the arguments have been integrated into the paragraph along with student analysis. Analysis is not just student opinion; it needs to be supported by the literature.
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Synthesizing Research
*Synthesizing research has to do with understanding the key concepts and variables which factor into theoretical, or other epistemological, approaches to understanding your topic/area of study.
When researching for a lit review, identify themes in each reading and try to connect ideas to other texts you’ve read. These “connections” evolve into potential topics for your paper.
connections = any type of relationship between sources
Such as…
Similarity or agreement
Opposing viewpoints
Contradictory findings
Varying opinions
Synthesis
Topic Sentence
Q: What two factors determine which sources the author used in this paragraph?
Examples of “expedited” collaboration
The authors combine two sources under a similar attribute: previous history of collaboration. Then they tell us what is important about this history: speedy or “expedited” planning
Transition Sentence
The authors simultaneously conclude the idea that collaboration requires time, and prepare their readers for the next section.
Example of a “deliberative” process
The authors illustrate contrast between this source and the earlier ones by providing detail (in other words: using evidence).
Problem/Critique
Q: How does the quotation affect our impression of the process in total?
Synthesis
First Q A: Collaboration & Success
So what is the setup of this paragraph? Compare and contrast. The authors group similar processes (synthesizing similarity), and then compare different processes (adding a synthesis of difference in order) to draw a conclusion that collaboration is time consuming.
Second Q (following the animations will take you to the problem/critique section last) Let students tell you what they think. Hopefully they will pick up on the charged nature of the quotation. Emphasize that this is an emotional appeal, but by using a quotation the authors manage to maintain the illusion of objectivity. In fact, they have selected the quote to draw an emotional response from other professionals (who might, for example, be remembering their own difficulties in dealing with similar situations). This will later tie into their overall thesis, which suggests that research cannot prove the effectiveness of ARCs.
Q: Ok, so the slide says the authors are getting ready for the next paragraph…. What do you think the next paragraph is going to be about?
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The synthesis matrix is by far one of the most useful tools that you can use to create an “at-a-glance” reference for synthesizing sources.
Synthesis Matrix
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Synthesis Matrix
This is an example of a chart from the text we have been looking at, you can see how easily this could be thought of as a synthesis matrix of a sort – it lists sources and then creates categories in order to compare similarities and differences.
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Synthesis Matrix
When putting together this paragraph on collaboration the authors took sources straight from their chart – see how they all relate?
So, when comparing this chart to the paragraph we will soon be taking a closer look at… I wonder, do any questions jump out at you? (I want to point out that EVANS – the last source – is not included. Why not?, I also want to see if they notice that Surstein & Sears are included, despite the fact that under the matrix they are listed as ‘IHE only.’ – could these be possible gaps? Knowing how to write a lit review helps you know how to read one critically as well!)
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American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the american psychological association. (6th ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Henning, T. B. (2011). Literature review: Synthesizing multiple sources. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http://www.english.lsu.edu/English_UWriting/FILES/item35404.pdf&ei=ePb6UaWNEKGciQLUloGwDQ&usg=AFQj CNGb6Yq2JVSEIVHidpMjvtvstDS5FA&sig2=Z8U-ThAQL1_0kM0R0e7ocw
Jamieson, S. (1999). Synthesis writing. Retrieved from http://www.users.drew.edu/sjamieso/synthesis.html
Mauk, K. (2008). Synthesizing sources. Retrieved from Mauk, K. (2008, May 7). Synthesizing sources. Retrieved from http://www.cengage.com/custom/enrichment_modules/data/142826213X_WH_Synthesizing_watermark.pdf
Temple University Writing Center. (n.d.). Synthesizing sources. Retrieved from http://www.temple.edu/writingctr/support-for-writers/documents/SynthesizingSources.pdf
University of Florida. (n.d.). Synthesizing sources. Retrieved from http://web.clas.ufl.edu/users/msscha/synthesizing_sources.pdf
Walden University Online Writing Center. (2012). Final paper: Weekly breakdown of assignments. Retrieved from http://libraryguides.waldenu.edu/content.php?pid=408802&sid=3344538
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