This presentation is based on the Zine Teaching Synthesis by Sarah Dahlen
California State University Monterrey Bay
Also thanks to Olivia Kays, Academic Library Fellow, for her assistance.
What is knowledge synthesis?
Explicit connections are made between sources, including connections between contradictory sources.
- Lundstrom, 2015
Connections could be
Similarities
Do two studies reach the same conclusion?
Differences
Do two studies disagree on a point?
Patterns
Is though evolving over time?
What knowledge synthesis is not
Series of Source Summaries
Only citing one article per paragraph? That's a red flag.
Series of Quotes
While an occasional quote is fine, you want to show yo know the content by putting it in your own words.
Synthesis Tables
What makes a good pet?
Garfield, 2019
Lassie, 2022
Mickey, 2020
Dogs
Dogs are codependent
Dogs are loyal
Cats
Cats are discerning
Cats are self-entitled jerks
Cats are terrifying
Mice
Mice are delicious
Mice are swell
Teaching Synthesis by Sarah Dahlen
How it Looks with Academic Writing
Rahimi and Hall, 2021
Grad students report procrastinating on:
Writing term papers
Completing weekly readings
Studying for exams
Grad students say they procrastinate because:
Fear of failure
Lack of assertiveness/peer pressure
Task aversiveness or laziness
Desire to take risks
Resentment toward others
They say procrastination causes the most problems with:
Writing term papers
Completing weekly readings
Shaked and Altarac (2022)
When speaking of impact,
76.92% of students did not feel procrastination impacted their grade
38% of statements on impact mentioned frustration, stress, and damage to self image
36% of statements on impact mentioned impaired professional advancement and financial loss
Patri and Laili (2021)
One masters thesis intervention program covered training in setting SMART goals and BASE habits.
Writing groups significantly lessened students tendency to procrastinate.
Rahimi and Hall, 2021
Patria and Laili, 2021
Shaked and Altarac, 2022
Degree of procrastination
Grad students reported procrastinating on:
Writing term papers
Completing weekly readings
Studying for exams
The majority of students studied (74.48%) perceived themselves as procrastinators, although only 46% completed the paper in the study late
Reasons for procrastinating
Grad students say they procrastinate because:
Fear of failure
Lack of assertiveness/peer pressure
Task aversiveness or laziness
Desire to take risks
Resentment toward others
Students noted external factors for procrastination (difficulty writing final paper, various responsibilities related to home and family, work related responsibilities) and personal factors (lack of motivation, laziness, ill health)
Procrastination impact
They say procrastination causes the most problems when
Writing terms papers
Completing weekly readings
76.92% of students did not perceive a relationship between their grade and degree of procrastination
38% of statements on impact mentioned frustration, stress, and damage to self-image
36% of statements on impact mentioned impaired professional advancement and financial loss
Improving procrastination
Writing groups significantly lessened students' tendency to procrastinate
One master's thesis intervention program trained in setting SMART goals and BASE habits.