What strategy can improve a student's ability to synthesize information from multiple sources?

The strategy of using databases and organizing notes effectively is particularly beneficial for improving a student's ability to synthesize information from multiple sources. This approach encourages students to engage with content from various materials, allowing them to identify connections, compare perspectives, and discern key themes across different texts.

By utilizing databases, students have access to a wide range of scholarly articles, studies, and other credible resources. Organizing their notes effectively helps them to categorize information by themes, concepts, or other frameworks, which promotes a deeper understanding of how different sources relate to one another. This not only facilitates the synthesis of information but also enhances critical thinking and analytical skills by encouraging students to create cohesive narratives or points of view that integrate diverse ideas.

In contrast, taking notes on a single source limits the scope of information and does not foster the ability to connect insights from multiple perspectives. Reading only abstracts provides an incomplete understanding, as abstracts summarize the main ideas but lack the depth and detailed arguments necessary for synthesis. Summarizing one source in detail also keeps the focus narrow and prevents the student from engaging with a broader spectrum of information required for effective synthesis.