Guides: Evidence Synthesis: Explaining the Synthesis & Analysis

Evidence Synthesis Process: Explaining the Synthesis & Analysis

Explaining the Synthesis & Analysis: Systematic reviews include synthesis which summarizes and organizes the information found in the studies that are identified. This synthesis informs the conclusions that are drawn in the systematic review and focuses on both the methodology and results of the studies. Depending on the project and the types of studies investigated, the synthesis can be simply descriptive or can include more in depth analysis. Generally, synthesis and analysis involve looking for trends and patterns to use in comparisons, to discover explanatory or confounding variables, to develop themes or frameworks, to inform best practices, etc. All systematic reviews include a narrative explanation but other kinds of explanations can also be used.
Explaining the Synthesis & Analysis	Explanation
Narrative explanations	Can describe trends, themes, frameworks, perspectives, characteristics, quality, etc. Especially useful for empirical research. Can use structured narratives. Often accompanied by tabular explanations.
Tabular explanations	Uses tables to explain the synthesis. Can be used to describe study characteristics, study measures, study quality, study results, etc. Accompanies narrative explanations.
Graphical explanations	Uses graphical methods to explore and present data. Can include concept maps, forest plots, harvest plots, idea webs, logic models, mind maps, and network analysis.

Methods and Approaches for Synthesis and Analysis
Data and Digital Scholarship Information Baylor Libraries' Data Scholar Program & Workshops, Data Research Fellows
Baylor University's Statistics Consulting Services Baylor Statistical Collaboration Center seeks to enhance the quality of research involving statistical methods conducted at Baylor University and with external partners. Provides short-term statistical analysis, long-term collaborative research, and assistance in the preparation of research grant proposals
NVivo NVivo is a qualitative data analysis (QDA) computer software package produced by QSR International. It has been designed for qualitative researchers working with very rich text-based and/or multimedia information, where deep levels of analysis on small or large volumes of data are required. (Descriptions from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NVivo)
OpenMeta[Analyst] Open Meta-Analyst is open-source software for performing meta-analyses of binary, continuous, or diagnostic data, using a variety fixed and random-effects methods, including Bayesian and maximum likelihood analysis. Open Meta-Analyst also enables you to do cumulative, leave-one-out, subgroup, and meta-regression analyses.