Learn the Ropes: Synthesize Research Like a Pro
As you make your way towards the end of your research journey, you may start feeling overwhelmed. You’ve conducted your research using the library’s databases. You have a number of quality articles, book chapters, data sets, and other types of sources. Your head is brimming with ideas, and you’ve procrastinated long enough with tactics such as cleaning the microwave and organizing your sock drawer.
Now what? It’s time to synthesize the information you found during your research.
Synthesis is the combining of information in a meaningful way, and it requires more than simply placing quotes from other sources into your paper.
In order to successfully synthesize your research findings, you need to summarize the information, evaluate it, interpret it, and draw conclusions for your readers. Here are some tips to help guide you:
Students using adaptive technology may prefer to review the tips in PDF form.
Tips to Help Synthesize Your Research
Remember that you can always contact a writing center tutor on your campus or at a distance through VAWLT (Virtual Academic Writing & Library Tutoring) for help.
