Day 21: Source Synthesis

We have already talked that it is crucially important to find credible scholarly sources and study them carefully before we start thinking about how one can contribute to the corpus of their field of study.

Today we will be talking about how we actually organize sources effectively so that this organization could help us in the writing process.  

This Power Point (below) will help you understand the nature of source synthesis and why this part of research is so important.  

Source Synthesis PPT

  • Synthesis: to combine separate elements to form a whole !!
  • A literature review should show that you have understanding about other works that are related to your research question.
  • In a lit review, such understanding should be demonstrated by 1) Making connections and clarify relationships among the ideas of the source materials and 2) Organizing the text topic-by-topic instead of source by source.



    • Summary of Synthesis strategy:

    1. organize all the information by topic instead of sources
    2. present the recurring ideas among sources.
    3. clarify the relationship between ideas in those sources.

    Assignment # 1

    Look at these two examples of source synthesis.

    -- What can you say about the organization of sources in text A and in text B?
    -- Which text synthesized the sources better?
    -- What are some characteristics that make a good source synthesis (review the aforementioned summary)?


    ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY ASSIGNMENT

    Look at these sources for the research question: "Are rich people really happier?" Fill out the practice grid    .

    Look at this SAMPLE to check your answers afterwards.  

    Source Synthesis Grids, Examples  

    Example 1
    Example 2
    Example 3
    Example 4
     
    HOMEWORK for Wednesday (4/10/2013):

    Go through the Source Synthesis Lesson at home once again. By Wednesday lesson make a source synthesis chart of all your sources. Go through examples linked above and choose the grid which is to your liking.

    Make sure you bare in mind the discussed Summary of Synthesis Strategy:

    Summary of Synthesis strategy:



    1. organize all the information by topic instead of sources
    2. present the recurring ideas among sources.
    3. clarify the relationship between ideas in those sources.