Synthesising Multiple Sources

Summary, comparison and synthesis

Summary asks: What does this source say?

Comparison asks: How are these sources similar or different?

Synthesis asks: What understanding emerges when I bring the sources together?

Organise by idea, not by source

Weak structure: Source A says..., Source B says..., Source C says....

Stronger structure: One paragraph discusses cost using evidence from A and C; another discusses access using B and C; a third explains why the sources disagree about long-term effects.

Look for relationships

Sources can:

• support each other
• add different evidence to the same idea
• focus on different parts of the question
• use different definitions
• reach different conclusions
• show change across time or context

Your reasoning connects the sources

Synthesis is not created by placing several citations in one sentence.

You need to explain the relationship between the sources and what that relationship means for the question.

Advanced synthesis

At a higher level, also consider limitations, scope and uncertainty.

A strong synthesis may conclude that the evidence supports one explanation under certain conditions but another explanation in a different context.

Question: How does remote work affect employees?

Source A reports higher job satisfaction among employees with flexible schedules.

Source B finds that some fully remote workers report greater isolation.

Source C suggests that outcomes differ depending on management practices and how often employees meet colleagues.

Synthesis

Taken together, the sources suggest that remote work does not have one uniform effect. Flexibility may improve satisfaction, while limited social contact can create difficulties for some workers. Source C helps explain the apparent tension by suggesting that the outcome depends partly on how remote work is organised.

The sources are used together to build an explanation rather than being listed separately.

1. Formulate a focused question.
2. Read each source and note its main claim, evidence and limitations.
3. Group notes by theme or issue rather than by source.
4. Mark agreements, differences and possible explanations for them.
5. Choose a paragraph structure based on those themes.
6. Use several sources within the same paragraph when they address the same point.
7. Explain what the combined evidence suggests.
8. Qualify your conclusion when the sources have different scope or limitations.

• Taken together,...
• Both sources support the view that..., although...
• Source B extends this argument by...
• This apparent contradiction may be explained by...
• Across the three sources, a common pattern is...
• The evidence is mixed:...
• The sources collectively suggest that...

Three summaries in a row

If each paragraph belongs to only one source, the reader cannot easily see the relationship between them.

Forcing agreement

Do not pretend that sources agree when they do not. Explaining disagreement can be an important part of synthesis.

Ignoring scope

A study of one age group or country should not automatically be treated as evidence for everyone everywhere.

• Synthesis creates an understanding from several sources.
• Organise paragraphs around ideas, not source order.
• Explain relationships between evidence and claims.
• Use disagreement as information rather than a problem to hide.
• A strong conclusion reflects the scope and limitations of the evidence.