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What's the best way to synthesize and evaluate sources from different disciplines for a literature review?

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A literature review is a critical analysis of existing research on a topic, usually conducted as part of a larger project or paper. It requires you to synthesize and evaluate sources from different disciplines, which can be challenging if you are not familiar with their methods, perspectives, and terminology. How can you overcome this obstacle and produce a coherent and comprehensive literature review? Here are some tips to help you.

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Matías Montero

Research Assistant (CIAE, U. de Chile)
Raouf Hajji, MD, PhD.

HealthTech Futurist | Professor Assistant of Internal Medicine | Co-Founder & Medical Lead of International Medical…

1 Identify your research question and scope

The first step in any literature review is to define your research question and scope. This will help you narrow down your search for relevant sources and avoid being overwhelmed by too much information. Your research question should be specific, focused, and answerable, and your scope should be clear, realistic, and manageable. For example, if you are interested in how climate change affects mental health, you might ask: How does climate change impact the psychological well-being of people living in coastal areas? Your scope might include the geographical regions, the time frame, and the types of sources you will consider.

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Raouf Hajji, MD, PhD.

HealthTech Futurist | Professor Assistant of Internal Medicine | Co-Founder & Medical Lead of International Medical Community (IMC: HealthTech Hub)
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Everyday a huge load of publications is getting the light in all the fields. To start your literature review, you need to focus in one clear research question and scope. Otherwise, you will waste time, efforts and may be money for worthless work. It is usually recommended to choose a research question in a field that interests you, enhance your education and/or boost your career. Your research question should be specific, narrow, focused, and answerable, and your scope should be clear, realistic, and manageable. Don’t forget this is the main step to start your literature review. A small mistake here can deal to huge destructive outcomes of your research. It is better to take your time to gain it later with excellent results.

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2 Search for and select sources from different disciplines

The next step is to search for and select sources from different disciplines that relate to your research question and scope. You can use various databases, catalogs, journals, websites, and other resources to find sources from different fields, such as environmental science, psychology, sociology, and public health. You should use appropriate keywords, filters, and criteria to refine your search and evaluate the quality, relevance, and credibility of the sources. You should also keep track of your sources and their bibliographic information for later reference.

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Matías Montero

Research Assistant (CIAE, U. de Chile)
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It is essential to be aware of the quality of evidence in different sources. For example, a meta-analysis article will be more robust than a single empirical or theoretical research paper. Furthermore, consider if the source is peer-reviewed and, if possible, the impact of the publication source, which is commonly measured in number of citations. Sometimes is complex to find appropriate keywords. Therefore, researchers commonly consult academic thesaurus or concepts previously found in other studies.

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3 Analyze and compare sources from different disciplines

The third step is to analyze and compare sources from different disciplines and identify their similarities, differences, gaps, and contradictions. You should read each source carefully and critically, and take notes of their main arguments, findings, methods, assumptions, and limitations. You should also look for connections, patterns, themes, and trends across the sources, and see how they complement, support, or challenge each other. You should also consider how the sources reflect the disciplinary perspectives, paradigms, and values of their authors.

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4 Synthesize and organize sources from different disciplines

The fourth step is to synthesize and organize sources from different disciplines into a coherent and logical structure. You should not simply summarize each source separately, but integrate them into a meaningful whole that answers your research question and shows your understanding of the topic. You should also group the sources into categories, subtopics, or themes, and use transitions, headings, and subheadings to guide your readers. You should also cite your sources properly and consistently according to the citation style required by your discipline or instructor.

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5 Evaluate and critique sources from different disciplines

The fifth step is to evaluate and critique sources from different disciplines and demonstrate your critical thinking and analysis skills. You should not simply accept or reject the sources, but explain why they are important, relevant, valid, or reliable, or why they are not. You should also point out the strengths and weaknesses, the advantages and disadvantages, and the implications and limitations of the sources. You should also acknowledge any biases, assumptions, or gaps in the sources, and suggest how they can be addressed, improved, or further researched.

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6 Write and revise your literature review

The final step is to write and revise your literature review and present your findings and arguments in a clear, concise, and coherent way. You should follow the guidelines and expectations of your discipline, instructor, or publication, and use appropriate language, tone, and style. You should also check your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting, and proofread your work carefully. You should also seek feedback from your peers, mentors, or experts, and make any necessary changes or improvements to your literature review.

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Matías Montero

Research Assistant (CIAE, U. de Chile)
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Consider using the standard academic writing approach, which is based on writing a topic sentence followed by a statement. Subsequently, add a supporting sentence using references, and then finish your paragraph with a short conclusion or implications.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What's the best way to synthesize and evaluate sources from different disciplines for a literature review?

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1 Identify your research question and scope

2 Search for and select sources from different disciplines

3 Analyze and compare sources from different disciplines

4 Synthesize and organize sources from different disciplines

5 Evaluate and critique sources from different disciplines

6 Write and revise your literature review

7 Here’s what else to consider

Academic Writing

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