1. Synthesizing Sources
PEGS’ Graduate Writing Institute for Excellence (GWIE)
California State University,
Dominguez Hills (CSUDH)

2. Disclaimer
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.

3. Synthesizing Sources: What does it mean?
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.
When we synthesize sources, essentially we are borrowing information from various sources and combining them with our own thoughts in order to express our viewpoints. Synthesizing allows us the ability to use information and determine relationships to form themes or patterns.

4. SYNTHESIZING SOURCES: WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?
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

5. Five Tasks in Synthesizing
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

6. Frame the Subject & Gather Material
Potential research topic is identified
Organize information
Make connections
Evolve connections into potential themes
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 in a general sense to indicate any type of relationship between sources:
similarities or agreement
opposing viewpoints
contradictory findings
varying opinions

7. Organize Information
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
Example:
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.
Summary Lists:
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)

8. Organize the information: The Synthesis Matrix
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.
Refer to the Synthesis Matrix Activity handout.

9. Write the Synthesis Identify conflicts/ 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
Connect facts with interpretations
For example, Karl Marx’s theory of history (interpretation) is connected to the observable social phenomenon of class struggle (fact).

10. Unify the Presentation
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.

11. Unify the Presentation
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 Burstein & 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!)

12. The Introductory 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. References
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 // CNGb6Yq2JVSEIVHidpMjvtvstDS5FA&sig2=Z8U-ThAQL1_0kM0R0e7ocw
Jamieson, S. (1999). Synthesis writing. Retrieved from
Mauk, K. (2008). Synthesizing sources. Retrieved from Mauk, K. (2008, May 7). Synthesizing sources. Retrieved from df
Temple University Writing Center. (n.d.). Synthesizing sources. Retrieved from
University of Florida. (n.d.). Synthesizing sources. Retrieved from
Walden University Online Writing Center. (2012). Final paper: Weekly breakdown of assignments. Retrieved from