Information Literacy (LIBR 2100)

To synthesize means to combine things into a whole.

In research writing, to synthesize means to:

• gather the literature that is relevant to your research
• describe, summarize, and identify the key concepts
• make connections by grouping, comparing & contrasting the literature
• drawing conclusions from what you've reviewed

In academic writing, once you've gathered the literature, describing and making connections between sources usually take place within a literature review. The literature review is typically found in the beginning section(s) of a paper. It can be incorporated into the introduction, or its own section after the introduction. Sometimes, literature reviews stand on their own as a complete work.

Then, the remainder of the paper is dedicated to further discussion and expansion of your ideas in response to your findings, and drawing the conclusions.

In this course, we will examine the literature review as a tool for synthesizing information, but you will not be asked to write a complete paper on your topic. 

The key features of synthesis:

• Accurately reports information from your sources. Try varying your style (i.e., using different ways to describe your findings, rather than just writing a list, "Author A found...and Author B found...")
• Makes sense of the sources and helps the reader (audience) understand them in greater detail
• Organized in such a way that readers (audience) can immediately see where the sources are similar to and different from one another

You should:

• As always, have a well-defined thesis, so that your analysis is organized around the topic
• Write complete sentences for each of the statements that support your thesis. Then each paragraph can expand on, develop, or illustrate the main ideas, drawing on the sources.
• Always identify your sources.

Try NOT to:

• Construct an entire paper out of a series of simple summaries. A synthesis is more than just a summary of your different sources - it should discuss your research question or thesis in context of the information you found
• Overwhelm your reader with fact, examples and quotes. Be selective, and interpret the information for the reader (audience)
• Start every paragraph with a quote. Start with YOUR points, and use the information to elaborate on them

Clevenger J. (2011). Help...I've been asked to synthesize! Retrieved June 23, 2016 from Bowling Green State University Writing Center website: http://www.bgsu.edu/content/dam/BGSU/learning-commons/documents/writing/synthesis/asked-to-synthesize.pdf

See more writing tips from BGSU

Writing a Literature Review

 In a literature review, the writer:

• defines and clarifies the issue(s) or problem(s) specified
• summarizes previous investigations in order to inform the reader of the state of current research
• identifies relations, contradictions, gaps, and inconsistencies in the literature,
• and suggests the next step or steps in solving the problem

Unlike the writer of a research report, who tends to formulate a question and research the answers for it themselves, the literature review writer develops a question and then looks at how other researchers in published studies have answered this and related questions. The writer then analyzes the points these studies have made and determines how each has addressed the question(s). Finally, the writer synthesizes (brings together) information from the other studies as evidence for each of the points that s/he is going to make. 

Here are some steps to follow when writing a literature review:  

1. Identify and develop a research question/main idea.

Example: Research shows that diversity training often fails in workplaces. In what ways does it fail? What needs to be done to have successful diversity training?

2. Read the research studies on your topic critically. Look for the author’s main purpose, the points s/he makes, how the points are Decide what studies support each of the points you have outlined supported (what kinds of evidence is used), whether the evidence seems strong and persuasive, and the conclusions that are reached. 

3. Look for the points that emerge as you read the materials relevant to your question. Based on the ideas you see being repeated, outline some main points to address in your review.

 Example: Some key points in the literature on why diversity training programs are not working are 1) organizations are not managing diversity, 2) diversity training is focused on differences and not on the “valuing” of diversity, 3) training programs are not inclusive of the organization’s entire workforce.

4.  Use information from other materials as evidence for your points. Use multiple sources to show the ways in which others have addressed the same or similar points.

5. Organize your literature review so that your introduction of other writers flows logically in the text, with good writing style.

6. Cite and document sources appropriately using a documentation style relevant to your field, e.g. APA, MLA, Chicago and depending on your assignment requirements.

Adapted with permission from George Mason University Writing Center.   

George Mason University. Writing Center. (2014). Writing a literature review. WC quick guides. Retrieved from http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/wc-quick-guides                                                                         

1. Structure the Information

Determine key concepts you want to include and create an outline. Here are some ways you can organize your information:

• By a particular theme, point or issue you have chosen
• According to varying perspectives regarding an area of controversy
• Chronologically; show the historical development of the research in this area

2. Present the Literature You've Chosen

In the literature review, you are tying together each article in terms of its place in the larger body of literature you’ve found, and as it relates to your own research question.

Present the literature you’ve selected within a context, to show:

• points of similarities and differences
• inconsistencies and controversies; gaps in the research
• the significance of each article, especially as it relates to your research question
• how your focus contributes to the area of study

3. Check Your Writing

• Try to work your in‐text citations into the flow of your writing. Unless you have made a direct quote, there is no need to include page number when using the APA citation style. Other styles such as MLA and Chicago require page numbers so it is always a good idea to make note of page numbers in case you need them.

• As you bring additional authors into the literature review, vary the words you use to introduce them rather than just presenting their names. Examples:

  Many students seem unaware of library resources and services (Nicholas & Tomeo 2012).

  By contrast, Edwards and Fredericks (2015) state that many students are aware of the library and visit it often, but have difficulty finding information.

  Interestingly, Williams and Dover (2013) indicate that many students still rely on Google alone to complete research for assignments.

  Nicholas and Tomeo (2014) present evidence that students visit the library website often, but get overwhelmed by choices.

• For a controversial topic: Nicholas and Tomeo (2005) argue that many students are unaware of online library resources and services. (This helps the reader know there are differing opinions in the literature)

• Do not use 'said' or 'says', because they are informal and conversational. Also, use the word  ‘claim’ very carefully, because it seems you are telling the reader that the information may not be correct

• Be sure to elaborate on each of the author's findings; it is not just a list of the literature, it is a review of the literature!

Adapted from a tutorial presented by Libraries of Adelphi University. 

Bellard, E. (2015). Literature review in education & behavioral sciences. Retrieved from Libraries of Adelphi University website: http://libraries.adelphi.edu/research/tutorials/EdLitReview/content/

• Link to this tutorial

From North Carolina State University, this video shows you some important skills for synthesizing information into a literature review.

• What is a literature review?
• What purpose does it serve in research?
• What should you expect when writing one?

Badke (2008) describes a very useful way to outline a final paper. The steps are:

1. The research question
2. Preliminary outline headings: introduction to the research question & literature review
3. Organizing your headings to "take the reader from introduction to conclusion as comfortably as possible" (p. 162)
4. Comparing and contrasting ideas
5. Conclusion, which "summarizes the main focus of your paper and makes your final position clear" (p. 173)

Badke, W.B. (2008). Research strategies: Finding your way through the information fog. (3rd Ed.). New York: iUniverse, Inc.