Comparing
The processing and presentation of knowledge is a process during which new information are continuously compared with already acquired knowledge. However, knowledge is not transferred 1:1 in the manner how it was acquired. In fact, there happens a selection of information relevant for the own research question, whether there is conflicting information and which information is supplementary or irrelevant. In this context, the following questions emerge at first:
- Does the information searched for/ found complement the information searched for/ found before in a sense-making way or is it redundant (refers to the same content in other words)
- Is it possible to establish an appropriate relation between the information searched for/ found and your topic or is it possible to integrate them into it?
- The information searched for/ found, are they comprehensive enough for covering my topic to a large extent or are there still (basic) gaps?
For this reason, it is recommendable to acquire an overview knowledge of the topic at first. This is particularly facilitated by reading elaborations comprehensively dealing with the topic. Please observe carefully whether there are research debates. In this case, you should extract differing opinions/ points of views/ argumentations in order to make it easier to subsequently assign the information searched for/ found to the respective parties. In this respect, it is recommendable proceed as follows:
- Based on your knowledge acquired before, you should determine own focus points regarding your topic. This may already be done during a first thematic structuring of your elaboration. However, this structure should remain flexible and adaptable in order to keep the opportunity to still make changes.
- Information found during further searches may then be assigned to those focus points. In the case that they cannot be assigned, it may be possible that the setting of the focus points has to be further adapted (e.g. by reformulation of focus points, by setting new focus points). Information not fitting to the topic should at first be kept in order to have the opportunity in an advanced stage to check again whether it may be integrated.
- It is recommendable to browse through the information already searched for/ found again from time to time in order to be able to assess newly found/ searched information whether it really adds additional aspects to the information pool already available.
Finally, you should also develop an own position based on the assignment of information found/ searched for and information fitting to the topic. This may happen either in the way that you agree with a certain research opinion and that you justify that with the information found/ searched for or that you develop an own opinion – such as by your own weighting and interpretation of the information found/ searched for.