1. Synthesizing Information:
* Combining findings: You take all the data you gathered through research (from books, articles, interviews, experiments, etc.) and analyze it to see what patterns, connections, and contradictions emerge.
* Identifying key themes: You look for the most significant ideas, arguments, and insights that your research reveals.
* Organizing information: You structure your findings in a clear and logical way, often using tables, charts, or outlines.
2. Drawing Conclusions:
* Interpreting the data: Based on your synthesized information, you explain what the data means and what it suggests.
* Formulating answers: You answer the research question(s) you posed at the beginning of the research process.
* Supporting claims: You use evidence from your research to back up your conclusions and make them convincing.
* Considering limitations: You acknowledge any limitations of your research and how they might affect your conclusions.
In essence, this stage involves:
* Making sense of your research findings.
* Identifying the most important takeaways.
* Developing a clear and well-supported answer to your research question.
It's like building an argument based on the evidence you've collected, ensuring that your conclusions are backed by the research itself.