Overview

For this assignment, you are going to advance beyond summarizing an individual article to synthesizing multiple articles (that is, discussing them as a group rather than simply summarizing them individually). The ability to critically analyze articles and discuss them in an integrated manner distinguishes doctoral-level professionals.

Professionals typically complete the critical thinking and analysis skills for writing on their own by drafting an outline. In this assignment, you will complete an outline that incorporates all the articles you’ve gathered before writing the synthesis. You will submit your outline and your synthesis together and receive feedback and be graded for both. Remember, most writing problems are thinking problems, so feedback on your thinking without the writing can be useful.

Instructions

Locate a minimum of five peer-reviewed articles related to the same topic that have been published within the last five years. It is fine to use the article from the first assignment as one of your articles here if you wish to explore that topic in more detail.

You will first write an outline. This doesn’t have to be complete sentences but should contain sufficient detail and highlight the main points that will comprise the synthesis.
- Provide a correctly formatted APA citations of at least 5 peer-reviewed sources that are no older than 5 years.
- Identify the findings of each article.
- Identify complementary findings between the sources.
- Identify contradictory findings between the sources.
- State the significance and relevance of the comparisons.
Write a synthesis of the articles in narrative format based on the main points from the outline. Your synthesis and your outline must cover the same articles.
- Your synthesis and your outline must cover the same articles.
- Provide an introduction (this is the Topic section) that previews the content, a synthesis section that has logical flow and transitions, and a conclusion that encapsulates main takeaways or important topics.
- Compare the findings and develop themes using the articles and findings from the outline.

Outline Sections

Follow this format for organizing your outline:

Topic.
Individual Articles.
1. Article A.
  1. Include full reference for article.
  2. List relevant findings.
2. Et cetera.
Synthesis of Articles.
1. Similar or Complementary Findings.
  1. Finding #1.
  2. Finding #2.
  3. Et cetera.
2. Contradictory Findings.
  1. Finding #1.
  2. Et cetera.
Conclusions.
1. List of key points.

Paper Sections

Follow this format for writing your synthesis:

Title (APA Level 1 heading).
Topic (APA Level 2 heading).
Similar or Complementary Finding (APA Level 2 heading).
- Finding #1 (APA Level 3 heading).
- Et cetera (APA Level 3 heading).
Contradictory Finding (APA Level 2 heading).
- Finding #1 (APA Level 3 heading).
- Et cetera (APA Level 3 heading).
Conclusion (APA Level 2 heading).
- One paragraph.

How You Will Be Graded

In the Outline:

Analyze each article, including relevant findings.
Compare the findings of the articles, identifying complementary and contradictory findings.

In the paper:

Organize content so ideas flow logically with smooth transitions.
- Provide an introduction that previews the content, a synthesis section that has logical flow and transitions, and a conclusions that encapsulates main takeaways or important topics.
Synthesize multiple sources into key themes or findings.
- Using the articles and findings from the outline, compare the findings and develop themes. Be sure to use transition phrases.
Write paragraphs according to the MEAL Plan Paragraph OrganizationLinks to an external site..
Adhere to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.

Submission Requirements

References: Include a minimum of 5 peer-reviewed sources.
Format: Use current APA style and format for references and in-text citations. Visit Evidence and APALinks to an external site. for help with APA as needed. Include headings for sections of the paper, align

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

This guide walks you through developing both your outline and synthesis paper for your assignment on comparing and analyzing scholarly articles. Follow each step carefully to ensure your submission is detailed, APA-compliant, and well-structured.

STEP 1: Choose a Topic

Pick a specific academic topic relevant to your doctoral study or area of interest. It should be narrow enough to find focused research but broad enough to allow for synthesis (e.g., “Leadership in Remote Work Environments”).

STEP 2: Locate and Review Articles

Find at least 5 peer-reviewed journal articles published within the last five years.
Ensure all articles are focused on the same topic or research question.
Consider if they explore different angles (e.g., empirical data, theoretical frameworks, case studies, reviews).

STEP 3: Build the Outline

Structure your outline as follows:

I. Topic

Write a short paragraph (or bullet points) introducing your topic, explaining its relevance and why it was selected.

II. Individual Articles

For each article:

Article A

APA citation (correct format)
List the relevant findings or conclusions
Mention any methodologies or key data used

Do this for each article (Articles B, C, D, E).

III. Synthesis of Articles

A. Similar or Complementary Findings

Group findings from different articles that support or expand on the same idea or pattern.

Example: Articles A, B, and D all found that leadership adaptability improves remote team productivity.

B. Contradictory Findings

Highlight any conflicting results or conclusions.

Example: Article C found no relationship between leadership adaptability and remote work performance, opposing others.

C. Significance

Explain what these similarities and differences tell us:

Are there gaps?
Are findings dependent on context (e.g., culture, methodology)?
Do they reinforce or question existing theory?

IV. Conclusions

Summarize what you learned:

What does this body of research collectively tell us?
Are there areas for further research?
How can this inform practice, policy, or theory?

STEP 4: Write the Synthesis Paper

Now that you have a clear outline, draft the paper with the following format:

Title (APA Level 1 Heading)

Create a concise, SEO-friendly title summarizing your synthesis topic.

Topic (APA Level 2 Heading)

Write a full introduction:

State your topic
Briefly describe why it matters
Preview the key themes found in the research

Similar or Complementary Findings (APA Level 2 Heading)

Finding #1: [Insert theme here] (APA Level 3 Heading)

Explain the theme.
Cite which articles support it.
Add a brief explanation and synthesis.

Finding #2: [Another theme]

Repeat structure above.

Contradictory Findings (APA Level 2 Heading)

Finding #1: [Insert contradiction here]

Explain the contradictory result.
Provide analysis and possible explanations (e.g., different sample, context, method).

Conclusion (APA Level 2 Heading)

In one paragraph:

Restate main takeaways from your synthesis
Explain the relevance of the themes and contradictions
Suggest future research directions or practical applications

STEP 5: Review APA Requirements

Include in-text citations for all your references.
Provide a reference list in APA format at the end.
Use appropriate headings, double spacing, Times New Roman 12 pt font, and page numbers.

Tips for Success

Follow the MEAL Plan for paragraph writing:
- Main idea
- Evidence
- Analysis
- Link back to topic
Use transition phrases to maintain flow:
- “Similarly,” “In contrast,” “This finding aligns with,” etc.

Submission Checklist

5+ peer-reviewed articles (≤5 years old)
Correct APA citations and references
Structured outline and synthesis paper
Clear introduction, synthesis (similar + contrasting), conclusion
Flow, transitions, critical thinking
APA formatting, headings, and grammar checked

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