Step Four

Synthesis and Evaluation

This research module is based on the Research Cycle designed by Jamie McKenzie. For more information, please visit his web page.

 

This is a time for you to stop and to assess your work. You need to ask yourself some questions.

I need to ask myself:

• Have I found the information needed to completely answer my questions?
• Do I still have questions that need to be answered?
• What resources will I use to answer these questions?
• What new questions do I have as a result of my research?
• Can I eliminate any information that is not needed?
• Have I developed questions that will help me answer my essential question?

I need to work with my expert group to determine:

• Am I beginning to understand what I have discovered?
• Are there any patterns that I can now see?
• Can I combine or rearrange information to make better sense?
• Can I begin to make recommendations based on the information I have gathered?

You should be beginning to make sense of the information you have gathered. Ask yourself:

• What have I learned?
• What don't I understand?
• What do I still need to do?

What you'll need to do next:

1. Look over the questions you have developed.
2. Read over your notes for each question. (Did you gather information that does not answer your question? If so, you can eliminate that information.)
3. Check off the questions you feel you have done a good job answering.
4. Try to group your questions into categories, if possible
5. As you look over each question, seek help if you don't understand any information that you believe might answer your question.
6. Write down your new questions.