Ultimately, the point of conducting research is that the process contributes to the development of new knowledge. As a researcher, you sought the answer to a question. Now is the time to formulate that answer and share it.

Many students satisfy themselves with a straightforward report that merely summarizes what they found. Sometimes that’s enough. More often, however, you’ll want to apply the information to ideas of your own. To do that, first consider all the information that you found and how your sources relate to each other. What do they have in common, and where do they disagree? What conclusions can you draw from those similarities and differences? What new ideas did they spark? How can you use the information that you have on hand to support your conclusions? (Refer to Chapter 5 for tips on drawing conclusions from different points of view and using evidence to construct an argument.)

What you’re doing at this stage of any research project is processing information, an activity known as synthesis. By accepting some ideas, rejecting others, combining related concepts, assessing the implications, and pulling it all together, you’ll create new information and ideas that other people can use.

Your final paper will include analysis and synthesis of the sources that you found through your research along with your original ideas. You must make sure that you clearly delineate which thoughts and ideas came from the sources you found.