Chapter II:
Synthesizing Information from
Relevant Literature
Practical Research 1
Synthesis
• A discussion that draws on one or more sources.
• Bringing together of materials from different
sources and the creation of an integrated whole.
• Serves as the foundational knowledge or the
springboard for the study.
How to write a synthesis
1. Consider your purpose in writing.
2. Select and read carefully your sources,
according to your purpose.
3. Formulate a thesis. It is the main ideas that you
want to present in your synthesis.
4. Decide on how you will use your source
materials and take down notes.
How to write a synthesis
5. Develop an organizational plan according to your
thesis.
6. Write the first draft of your synthesis, following
your organizational plan.
7. Revise your synthesis.
Techniques for Writing a Synthesis
1. Summary
➢The simplest way of organizing a synthesis.
➢Writing the most relevant information and
sources you gathered.
Techniques for Writing a Synthesis
1. Summary
➢If your topic is the effects of social media on
teens:
Studies show that social media use among
teenagers is linked to both positive and negative
outcomes. Research by Lee (2021) found that
moderate use can improve peer connections,
while Johnson (2020) reported that excessive use
is associated with higher anxiety levels.
Techniques for Writing a Synthesis
2. Example or Illustration
➢It is a reference to a particularly illuminating
example or illustration that you have included in
your review.
➢You need to credit your source/s.
Techniques for Writing a Synthesis
2. Example or Illustration
➢Example: If your synthesis is about the benefits
of peer learning, you might write:
Peer learning enhances critical thinking skills.
For example, Johnson and Johnson (2019)
describe a classroom study where students
working in pairs solved 35% more problems
correctly than those working individually.
Techniques for Writing a Synthesis
3. Two (or more) Reasons
➢Simply state your thesis (main idea), then give
reasons why it is true.
➢Your reasons need to be supported by evidence
from your data sources.
Techniques for Writing a Synthesis
3. Two (or more) Reasons
➢Online learning can be as effective as traditional
classroom learning. According to Allen and
Seaman (2020), students in online courses
performed equally well or better in 74% of the
studies reviewed. Online learning allows flexible
schedules, which, as Smith (2018) found,
improves completion rates among working
students.
Techniques for Writing a Synthesis
4. Comparison and Contrast
➢Examining two subjects or data in terms of one
another.
➢Comparison considers similarities while
contrast highlights differences.
Techniques for Writing a Synthesis
4. Comparison and Contrast
➢Example: If your synthesis is about renewable
energy sources:
Both solar and wind power reduce greenhouse
gas emissions (Thompson, 2020). However, solar
power’s efficiency depends heavily on sunny
climates, while wind power can generate
electricity day and night in windy regions (Nguyen,
2019).
Chapter II:
Writing a Coherent
Review of Literature
Practical Research 1
Organizing the paragraph
How to write the literature review?
Statement A
Smith (2019) studied climate change adaptation
among rice farmers in Indonesia and found that
irrigation systems improved resilience.
Jones (2020) looked at corn farmers in Mexico and
concluded that crop diversification was effective.
Lee (2018) analyzed wheat production in Canada
and emphasized the role of government subsidies.
Statement B
Climate change adaptation strategies in agriculture
often vary based on environmental and socio-
economic contexts. In Southeast Asia, Smith (2019)
found that improved irrigation systems significantly
increased rice farmers’ resilience to drought.
Similarly, Jones (2020) reported that corn farmers in
Mexico benefited from crop diversification, which
reduced dependency on a single yield and mitigated
market risks.
Statement B
In contrast, Lee (2018) observed that Canadian
wheat farmers relied heavily on government
subsidies, highlighting how adaptation can depend
more on policy support than on direct agricultural
practices. Taken together, these studies suggest that
while physical interventions such as irrigation and
diversification are effective in developing nations,
institutional and policy-based approaches may be
more critical in developed agricultural economies.
Question
Which do you think is
coherent?
Being coherent means…
✓Listing what each author said;
✓Grouping similar ideas together;
✓Compare them; and
✓Show how they connect to your study.
Introduction
• A single paragraph that describes the general topic
and provides scholarly or societal content for the
review.
• It also identifies the overall statement of the
knowledge about the topic (e.g. methodology,
evidence, problem, or opportunity.)
Body
• Addressing previous research on the topic grouped
according to theme, theoretical perspective,
method used or chronological development.
• This draws together the significance of previous
individual studies highlighting the main themes,
issues, and gaps.
Body
• You must connect the literature to the proposed
research objectives within this parts.
Conclusion
• A single paragraph that provides a statement of the
overall state of knowledge about the topic.
• Reconnects ideas to your introduction.
• It should establish the potential significance or
importance of your proposed study relative to the
current state of knowledge.
iMISs Model
A beginner’s guide to writing literature review.
Organizing the paragraph
• “i” is for the introduction of the review
• “MIS” is the core part that we need to focus on in
every single paragraph.
• “s” is for the synthesis or conclusion.
introduction
• Introduces your paper.
• This section basically is where you place all the
different parts of what is discussed in the previous
chapter.
Main Idea
• This is the very first sentence of each paragraph
that you write in your research paper. This sentence
must introduce the main idea or the thesis
statement of that paragraph.
Main Idea
• Whenever you start a new paragraph, try to make
sure there is at least one main idea. Make sure that
main idea is presented in the very first sentence of
the paragraph. It makes it easier to link the rest of
the sentences to it.
Illustrations
• The first sentence (main idea) must be followed
with at least three sentences that provides details
about the main idea presented in the first
sentence.
• This helps you to elaborate your main idea.
Synthesis
• The last sentence of each paragraph should briefly
synthesize what you have in that paragraph or
create some kind of transiton to the next
paragraph.
synthesis
• Overall synthesis or the conclusion.
• You need to summarize the findings of your
research, provide the practical application of your
findings, and make recommendations for future
research.
Paragraph Development
Guidelines for Developing Paragraphs in a Literature Review Essay
Introduction Paragraph
• Introduce the general topic and explain the
importance of reviewing the existing literature.
Outline the key themes or categories that the
review will cover.
Introduction Paragraph Example
“This literature review explores the broad topic of
parental involvement in education and its impact on
student outcomes. Reviewing existing studies helps
to understand how different forms of parental
engagement influence academic performance and
social development. The review will cover key
themes such as types of parental involvement, its
effects on student success, and how these impacts
vary across different educational contexts.”
Summary of Key Studies Paragraph
• Provide a general overview of the main findings
from various studies related to the topic.
Summarize the key points to give readers a
foundational understanding of the research.
Summary of Key Studies Paragraph
Example
“Several key studies provide insight into parental
involvement. For example, one study highlights that
students whose parents help with homework tend to
perform better academically. Another study shows
that parents who actively participate in school
events contribute to improved student behavior and
social skills. These summaries help establish a
baseline understanding of how different aspects of
parental involvement are linked to student
outcomes.”
Comparison Paragraph
• Compare the findings or approaches of different
studies to identify common trends or agreements.
• Discuss how these similarities contribute to a
broader understanding of the topic.
Comparison Paragraph Example
“Comparing the studies reveals common trends.
Both studies agree that parental involvement has
positive effects on students. They both report that
active parental engagement, whether through
homework support or school participation, is
associated with better academic performance and
enhanced social skills. This agreement underscores
the general consensus that parental involvement is
beneficial across various dimensions of student
development.”
Contrast Paragraph
• Highlight and discuss the differences between
studies, such as variations in methodology, focus,
or outcomes. Explain how these differences impact
the overall understanding of the topic.
Contrast Paragraph Example
“While the studies agree on the benefits of parental
involvement, they differ in their focus. One study
concentrates on the impact of parental homework help,
showing significant improvements in grades. In
contrast, another study examines the effects of broader
school involvement and finds benefits mainly in student
social interactions rather than academic performance.
These differences indicate that different types of
parental involvement may have varying impacts on
different aspects of student success.”
Synthesis Paragraph
• Integrate the insights from the comparison and
contrast to provide a comprehensive
understanding of the topic. Discuss the overall
implications and how different findings contribute
to a broader perspective.
Synthesis Paragraph Example
“Synthesizing the findings from these studies
reveals that both direct homework assistance and
broader school participation positively affect
students, though in different ways. Direct help with
homework tends to improve academic performance,
while involvement in school activities enhances
social skills. This synthesis suggests that a
multifaceted approach to parental involvement,…”
Synthesis Paragraph Example
“…addressing both academic support and
engagement in school, may offer the most
comprehensive benefits for students. Future
research could further explore how to effectively
balance these approaches to maximize their
impact.”
Chapter II:
Presenting Written
Review of Literature
Practical Research 1
Preparing the written review of literature
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion
• Citation, Bibliography or reference list
When Writing a Literature Review
1. Focused
➢It presents only ideas and reports on studies
that are closely related to the topic.
When Writing a Literature Review
2. Concise
➢The ideas should be presented economically.
➢brief but comprehensive; direct to the point
When Writing a Literature Review
3. Logical
➢The flow withing and among paragraphs should
be a smooth, logical progression from one idea
to the next.
➢natural or sensible given the circumstances.
When Writing a Literature Review
4. Developed
➢The ideas are fully and completely written
When Writing a Literature Review
5. Integrative
➢It shows how ideas are related and how all
reviewed materials contribute to your topic.
When Writing a Literature Review
6. Current
➢It exhibits up-to-date information related to your
study.
Plagiarism and Citation Sources
Everyone must be aware of.
Two common problems
1. Careless use of works
➢Half-using the tenets of the research study.
➢This is the manipulation of the claims of a study
to fit to support the claims of own research work.
Two common problems
2. Plagiarism
➢When one claims credit for the work of others.
➢It is a form of intellectual dishonesty.
It’s time to write your Chapter 2!
Be the good researcher.