Skip to Main Content

Research Skills

Synthesis & Analysis

Synthesis

  • The combination of ideas to form a theory, larger idea, point or outcome
  • The process used to show connections, commonalities or patterns

Analysis

  • A detailed examination of ideas, elements, or the structure of something
  • Can be the basis for discussion or interpretation

Synthesis & Analysis

  • Show how commonalities, patterns, and elements fit together
  • Form a unified point for a theory, discussion, or interpretation
  • Develop an informed evaluation of the idea by presenting several different viewpoints and/or ideas

Synthesis Matrix

A synthesis matrix is a table that can be used to organize research. When completed, it provides a visual representation of main ideas and shows where there is overlap in ideas between authors. A completed matrix will help to integrate all of the different resources together, which will facilitate the synthesis of information on a specific topic.

A synthesis matrix can take many different forms. In the example table below, the main ideas or themes about the topic are listed in the left column, and the sources are listed along the top of the table.

  Source 1 Source 2
Main Idea A    
Main Idea B    

 

Example of a Synthesis Matrix

  Jones Wilson et al.
Alteration of women's roles because of WWII
  • Women given equal opportunities (p. 223)
  • Women joined workforce as a break from the ordinary to help the war (p. 220)
  • Unconscious decision to cross into male-dominated roles (p. 221)
  • Women accredited the WASP program for opening new doors, challenging stereotypes, and proving that women were as capable as men (p. 113)
  • Women could compete with men as equals in the sky because of their exemplary performance (p. 116)
Hardships and oppositions women faced
  • Women given unskilled labor positions by government because only seen as temporary workers, therefore no reason to train them (p. 221-2)
  • Women given less significant work and viewed as less intelligent and physically able (p. 224)
  • Women in the military given extensive physical and mental tests, but still discriminated against, ridiculed, and considered inferior to men (p. 117)