Research Synthesis

Synthesis is not summary. A summary repeats what each source said; a synthesis finds the patterns across sources and says what it means. This skill turns 20+ sources into a decision-ready document.

Step 1: Capture, don't just read

As you go through each source, extract atomic notes (one idea per note):

Source: <author, title, date>
Claim: <a single finding or argument, in your own words>
Evidence: <what backs it - data, study, anecdote>
Confidence: <strong / moderate / weak>

Keep claims atomic so you can later regroup them across sources. Tag each with a topic.