STEP 5: SYNTHESIS

"Intelligence is something we are born with. Thinking is a skill that must be learned."

~ Edwards de Bono ~

CONNECTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

The word "synthesis" is often used to describe the making of connections or associations among data and subsequent drawing of conclusions based on the research. The process, also referred to as "making inferences", is fundamental to other critical thinking skills. To infer, students must

learn to use their prior knowledge to understand new information,

locate and use relevant text clues to construct meaning and establish relationships, and

understand whether their inferences make sense and are relevant.

During the research process specifically, the process of of developing a conclusion should include the following steps:

  1. Review topic, research question(s) and thesis statement/hypothesis

  2. Review the categories of information/evidence gathered to identify problems, issues, questions and changes.

  3. Review inferences of connections and relationships among data and, if possible, specify the nature of the connections and relationships.

  4. Identify a number of reasonable conclusions based on the evidence, connections and relationships.

  5. Test the conclusions by locating additional information to support each of them.

  6. Select  final conclusion(s) to support and report.

COMMUNICATE RESEARCH FINDINGS

Students should have received parameters for the final research product before ever beginning their research. These should detail for them the purpose of their communication, the range of formats available to them for communicating their findings and insights, who their audience is, etc. With their information recorded, categorized and synthesized, they have all the pieces they need to plan the production and presentation of their final product.

COMPILING BIBLIOGRAPHIES

Students should be expected by their teachers to provide a final bibliography or list of works consulted during research. Most students use one of two popular bibliographical styles, i.e. the MLA (Modern Language Association) style, or the APA (American Psychological Association).

CYBER ETHICS AND SAFETY

With increased use of technology in schools, it has become imperative that schools also concern themselves with the ethical use of electronic resources. Foremost in the minds of most parents is the safety of their children while they're online, but it is equally important that students also be taught the basic principles of good "cyber citizenship".

   

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