EAP Synthesizing Multiple Sources 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When two sources present conflicting data on the same topic, the best approach in academic writing is to:
- Ignore the source with weaker methodology
- Present both findings and discuss possible reasons for the discrepancy (Correct answer)
- Choose the more recent source automatically
- Average the two sets of data together
Correct answer: Present both findings and discuss possible reasons for the discrepancy
Acknowledging conflicting evidence and analyzing the discrepancy demonstrates critical thinking and scholarly rigor.
Question 2: Which signal phrase best introduces a synthesized point that multiple sources agree on?
- According to Smith (2019), ...
- Several researchers concur that ... (Correct answer)
- It has been argued that ...
- One scholar believes ...
Correct answer: Several researchers concur that ...
'Several researchers concur that' explicitly signals agreement across multiple sources, which is the hallmark of synthesis.
Question 3: A student writes: 'Jones (2020) found X. Lee (2021) found Y. Brown (2022) found Z.' This passage is an example of:
- Effective synthesis
- Patchwork summary (Correct answer)
- Comparative analysis
- Critical evaluation
Correct answer: Patchwork summary
Listing findings sequentially without connecting them is patchwork summary, not synthesis.
Question 4: In a synthesis matrix, columns typically represent:
- Individual sources
- Key themes or concepts (Correct answer)
- Publication dates
- Author credentials
Correct answer: Key themes or concepts
A synthesis matrix organizes sources by thematic columns so patterns across sources become visible.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes 'thematic synthesis'?
- Summarizing each source one paragraph at a time
- Grouping information from multiple sources under shared conceptual categories (Correct answer)
- Quoting the most authoritative source on each point
- Arranging sources chronologically to show development
Correct answer: Grouping information from multiple sources under shared conceptual categories
Thematic synthesis organizes content around ideas or themes rather than source by source.
Question 6: When synthesizing sources, the writer's own analytical voice should:
- Be entirely absent to maintain objectivity
- Appear only in the conclusion
- Guide the organization and interpretation of sources throughout (Correct answer)
- Be limited to the introduction
Correct answer: Guide the organization and interpretation of sources throughout
Effective synthesis requires the writer's analytical voice to frame, connect, and evaluate sources throughout the text.
Question 7: A writer uses three sources to support one claim. To avoid over-citation, the best practice is to:
- Cite only the oldest source
- Cite only the source with the highest impact factor
- Group the citations together at the end of the relevant sentence (Correct answer)
- Cite each source in a separate sentence
Correct answer: Group the citations together at the end of the relevant sentence
Grouping citations — e.g., (Smith, 2018; Lee, 2020; Brown, 2021) — efficiently attributes multiple supporting sources without disrupting flow.
EAP Synthesizing Multiple Sources 2
When two sources present conflicting data on the same topic, the best approach in academic writing is to: