PEGS’ Graduate Writing Institute for Excellence (GWIE)

California State University,Dominguez Hills (CSUDH)

SYNTHESIZING SOURCES

All workshops and workshop materials are the sole property of PEGS and cannot be published, copied, or

disseminated without prior written approval from PEGS; they are for

student and faculty use only.

DISCLAIMER

A synthesis combines elements from multiple sources

to form a whole; in this case, the “whole” is a theme or argument (i.e., thesis) of your paper.

SYNTHESIZING SOURCES: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Synthesizing involves

identifying patterns and similarities/differences among sources

critically analyzing strengths, weaknesses, methods, and findings of sources

identifying and exploring gaps in knowledge to determine what you can contribute to future research on the topic

SYNTHESIZING SOURCES: WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?

According to Jamieson (1999), there are five tasks required for eff ectively synthesizing source material:

1. Frame the Subject2. Gather Material3. Organize Information4. Write the Synthesis5. Unify the Presentation

FIVE TASKS IN SYNTHESIZING

Potential research topic is identified

Organize information

Make connections

Evolve connections into potential themes

FRAME THE SUBJECT & GATHER MATERIAL

Peruse sources carefully/Read sources Critically (once or twice ONLY)

Review sources repeatedly

make connections between sources

make annotations for emerging themes

Lists

summary of central information from all sources

summary of peripheral information from some sources

summary of information specific to source

Synthesis Matrix

at-a-glance reference

ORGANIZE INFORMATION

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.

ORGANIZE THE INFORMATION:

THE SYNTHESIS MATRIX

Identify confl icts/ concurrences among sources

Connect facts with interpretations

Discuss ALL relevant data

Refrain from using quotes out of context

Stay true to primary author’s intentions

WRITE THE SYNTHESIS

Unify the Presentation

Unify the Presentation

THE INTRODUCTORY SYNTHESIS

THE BACKGROUND SYNTHESIS

SYNTHESIS PARAGRAPH INCLUDING ANALYSIS

A m e r i c a n Ps y c h o l o g i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n . ( 2 0 1 0 ) . P u b l i c a t i o n m a n u a l o f t h e a m e r i c a n p s y c h o l o g i c a l a s s o c i a t i o n . ( 6 t h

e d . ) . Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . : A m e r i c a n Ps y c h o l o g i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n .

H e n n i n g , T. B . ( 2 0 1 1 ) . L i t e r a t u r e r e v i e w : S y n t h e s i z i n g m u l t i p l e s o u r c e s . Re t r i e v e d f ro m

h t t p : / / w w w.g o o g l e . c o m / u r l ? s a = t & rc t = j& q = & e s rc = s & f rm = 1 & s o u rc e = w e b & c d = 1 & v e d = 0 C C 0 Q F jA A & u r l= h t t p : / /

w w w. e n g l i s h . l s u .e d u / E n g l i s h _ U Wr i t i n g / F I L E S / i t e m 3 5 4 0 4 .p d f & e i = e P b 6 U a W N E KG c i Q LU lo G w D Q & u s g = A F Q j

C N G b 6 Y q 2 J V S E I V H i d p M j v t v s t D S 5 FA & s ig 2 = Z 8 U -T h AQ L 1 _ 0 k M 0 R 0 e 7 o c w

J a m i e s o n , S . ( 1 9 9 9 ) . S y n t h e s i s w r i t i n g . Re t r i e v e d f ro m h t t p : / / w w w.u s e r s . d re w. e d u / s j a m i e s o / s y n t h e s i s . h t m l

M a u k , K . ( 2 0 0 8 ) . S y n t h e s i z i n g s o u r c e s . Re t r i e v e d f ro m M a u k , K . ( 2 0 0 8 , M a y 7 ) . S y n t h e s i z i n g s o u rc e s . Re t r i e v e d

f ro m h t t p : / / w w w.c e n g a g e . c o m / c u s t o m / e n r i c h m e n t _ m o d u le s / d a t a / 1 4 2 8 2 6 2 1 3 X _ W H _ S y n t h e s i z i n g _ w a t e rm a r k . p d f

Te m p l e U n i v e r s i t y Wr i t i n g C e n t e r. ( n .d . ) . S y n t h e s i z i n g s o u r c e s . Re t r i e v e d f ro m

h t t p : / / w w w. t e m p l e . ed u / w r i t i n g c t r / s u p p o r t - f o r- w r i t e r s / d o c u m e n t s / S y n t h e s i z i n g S o u rc e s . p d f

U n i v e r s i t y o f F l o r i d a . ( n .d . ) . S y n t h e s i z i n g s o u r c e s . Re t r i e v e d f ro m

h t t p : / / w e b . c l a s .u fl . e d u / u s e r s / m s s c h a / s y n t h e s i z i n g _ s o u rc e s .p d f

Wa ld e n U n i v e r s i t y O n l i n e Wr i t i n g C e n t e r. ( 2 0 1 2 ) . F i n a l p a p e r : W e e k l y b r e a k d o w n o f a s s i g n m e n t s . Re t r i e v e d

f ro m h t t p : / / l i b r a r y g u i d e s . w a l d e n u .e d u / c o n t e n t . p h p ? p i d = 4 0 8 8 0 2 & s i d = 3 3 4 4 5 3 8

REFERENCES