Data analysis - Information gathering and synthesis

Information gathering and synthesis

1. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Information Gathering
and Synthesis

2. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
What do we mean by information
gathering and synthesis?
•Information gathering refers to gathering
information about the issue you’re facing and
the ways other organizations and communities
have addressed it.
•You can gather information using both existing
sources and natural examples.

3. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
What do we mean by information
gathering and synthesis?
•Synthesis here refers to analyzing what you’ve
learned from your information gathering, and
constructing a coherent program or approach by
taking ideas from a number of sources and putting
them together to create something that meets
the needs of the community and population
you’re working with.
•Synthesis involves extracting the functional elements of
both the analysis of the issue and approaches to it.
•Functional elements are those that are indispensable
either to understanding the issue, or to
implementing a particular program.

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Why gather and synthesize
information?
•It will help you avoid reinventing the wheel.
•It will help you to gain a deep understanding of the issue
so that you can address it properly.
•You need all the tools possible to create the best program
you can.
•It’s likely that most solutions aren’t one size fits all.
•It can help you ensure your program is culturally sensitive.
•Knowing what’s been done in a variety of other
circumstances and understanding the issue from a number
of different viewpoints may give you new insights and new
ideas for your program.

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When should you gather and
synthesize information?
•Information gathering and synthesis should
continue throughout the life of the program.

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Who should gather and synthesize
information?
•Information gathering and synthesis is often
most effectively conducted by a multi-sectoral
participatory group including all stakeholders
in the issue.

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How do you gather and
synthesize information?
1.Decide what you need to know about the
issue itself, successful and unsuccessful
attempts to address it in various
circumstances, and the local context.

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2.Determine your likely sources for the various
types of information you’re seeking.
•Existing sources include scholarly, mass-market, and
statistical/demographic published information.
•Natural sources include some published information about
programs, but can best be obtained by direct contact with
those involved in planning, implementing, or participating in
programs relevant to your issue.
•It’s important to pay attention to both successful and
unsuccessful attempts to address the issue, and to step
outside your own field in search of solutions that work.
How do you gather and
synthesize information?

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3.Devise a plan for gathering information.
•Decide who will gather what information.
•Decide how information will be gathered.
•Decide what adjustments will be made for gaps in
experience or skills.
•Set a timeline for the initial information gathering.
How do you gather and
synthesize information?

10. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
4.Collect information
5.Begin synthesis by taking it all apart – extract the
functional components and elements of what you’ve
learned.
6.Complete synthesis by putting the relevant pieces
back together as a coherent program that speaks to
your community’s needs.
7.Keep at it by continuing to gather and synthesize
information throughout the life of the program.
How do you gather and
synthesize information?