What strategies can you use to synthesize conflicting findings in a literature review?

1 Identify the sources of conflict

The first step is to understand why the findings are conflicting. There could be several reasons, such as different research designs, methods, samples, measures, contexts, or interpretations. You should examine each study carefully and compare its strengths and limitations with others. You should also look for any common themes, patterns, or gaps in the literature that can explain the variations.

2 Evaluate the quality and relevance of the studies

The next step is to assess how reliable and relevant each study is for your research question and purpose. You should consider the criteria of validity, reliability, generalizability, and applicability. You should also check the date, source, and citation of the studies to see how current and credible they are. You should weigh the evidence according to the quality and relevance of the studies and avoid relying on a single or biased source.

3 Organize the studies by themes or categories

The third step is to group the studies by themes or categories that reflect the main aspects of your topic. You can use different approaches to organize the literature, such as chronological, theoretical, methodological, or thematic. You should choose the approach that best suits your research question and purpose. You should also provide clear and consistent labels and definitions for each theme or category.

4 Summarize and compare the studies within each theme or category

The fourth step is to summarize and compare the main findings, arguments, and implications of the studies within each theme or category. You should highlight the similarities and differences among the studies and explain how they relate to your research question and purpose. You should also identify any gaps, inconsistencies, or contradictions in the literature and discuss how they affect your understanding of the topic.

5 Synthesize the findings across themes or categories

The fifth step is to synthesize the findings across themes or categories and draw conclusions from the literature. You should integrate the key points and insights from the studies and show how they contribute to your knowledge and perspective on the topic. You should also acknowledge any limitations, uncertainties, or controversies in the literature and suggest how they can be addressed or resolved in future research.

6 Write a clear and coherent literature review

The final step is to write a clear and coherent literature review that presents your synthesis of the literature. You should follow the structure and format of your discipline and assignment guidelines. You should also use appropriate transitions, citations, and references to connect and support your ideas. You should revise and edit your literature review to ensure that it is accurate, consistent, and readable.

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?