Research synthesis is the process of combining findings from multiple studies to draw broader conclusions about a specific topic. This method helps researchers identify patterns, similarities, and differences across various pieces of research, making it easier to understand complex issues. By aggregating data, researchers can provide more reliable evidence that can inform policy decisions, clinical practices, or further studies.
One common approach to research synthesis is the meta-analysis, which statistically analyzes data from different studies to produce a single estimate of effect. Another method is the systematic review, which systematically collects and evaluates existing research to summarize the current state of knowledge on a topic.