Synthesising messages
We all gather information through conversations and the experiences we have, read or hear about. We store this information in our personal and unique memory database.
When you start to research at university, you will collect further information from books, articles, websites and other sources. The process of combining your research findings with your own knowledge and reaching a logical conclusion is called synthesis.
Perhaps the best way to visualise synthesis is to imagine that the pieces of information that you have gathered are part of a jigsaw. Your challenge is to connect the pieces and bring them together in a way that makes sense and then explain this in your own words. If you can demonstrate this incisive original thinking you will be rewarded with higher grades. The process of synthesis will facilitate the development of your own academic voice, and your work could add to scholarly conversation.
Beyond university, synthesis will be invaluable in the workplace. Blending the views of others, industry research and trends combined with your own knowledge will help you to make clear and coherent decisions. The ability to think about situations in the whole, taking relevant information into account, and considering the bigger picture is a great employability skill to have.
‘The ability to synthesize information effectively has implications not just in academic coursework but also in students' day-to-day lives and their ability to contribute in the workplace.’ (Dahlen, S. & Leuzinger, R. 2020)