Embedded Files
Watch It!
Watch It!
This video walks you through how to engage in synthesis in order to take research from multiple sources, your own arguments and turn it into a research paper.
The Synthesis Matrix
The Synthesis Matrix
The research matrix is a helpful tool you can use to synthesize your research along with your own voice. The blank research matrix example below can help you organize your paper by main idea, identify connections between your sources, and add your own analysis.
Filling Out Your Matrix
Filling Out Your Matrix
1. Write your topic or research question above the matrix.
2. Write your main ideas for your paper on the left side of the matrix.
Helpful Tip: Choose your main ideas AFTER you have read your sources!
3. Write the title, author, or citation of each source in the top row of the matrix.
4. Fill in the matrix boxes with a paraphrase or direct quote that represents how the source discussed that main idea. You do not need every source to address every main idea!
5. Include your own analysis of the main idea and the sources in the last column on the matrix.
Adapted from:
"Synthesis: The Synthesis Matrix" Provided by USU Libraries, Utah State University. Copyright © 2026 License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Page updated
Report abuse