Knowledge+Synthesis

=Knowledge Synthesis (N=4)=


 * Definition 1:** In short, a knowledge synthesis analyses, discusses and synthesises the existing knowledge on an unclarified, and often disputed, subject in relation to the main points of view. This work takes place in a group of experts from different fields, who represent the different points of view on the subject. It is therefore important to include experts with different backgrounds and different perceptions of the subject.
 * Source:** Danish Resource Centre for Organic Food and Farming http://www.darcof.dk/about/knowledge.html
 * Focus:** Agriculture


 * Definition 2:** Knowledge synthesis is an approach to combining results from research with information from policymakers and practitioners in a systematic, transparant way. Knowledge synthesis is a strategy for combining information from research with information from policymakers and practitioners in a systematic and transparent way in order to promote the use of knowledge by disease prevention workers, health care providers and their professional associations, patients and patient groups, managers of health care and disease prevention institutions, health insurers and policymakers.
 * Source:**[| http://www.zonmw.nl/en]
 * Focus:** Health Care


 * Definition 3:** Knowledge synthesis is a social as well as an individual process. Sharing tacit knowledge requires individuals to share their personal beliefs about a situation with others. At that point of sharing, justification becomes public. Each individual is faced with the tremendous challenge of justifying his or her beliefs in front of others – and it is this need for justification, explanation, persuasion and human connection that makes knowledge synthesis a highly fragile process. To bring personal knowledge into a social context, within which it can be amplified or further synthesized, it is necessary to have a field that provides a place in which individual perspectives are articulated, and conflicts are resolved in the formation of higher- level concepts. In a typical organization, the field for interaction is often provided in the form of an autonomous, self-directed work team, made of members from different functional units. It is a critical matter for an organization to decide when and how to establish such a team of interaction in which individuals can meet and interact. This team triggers organization knowledge synthesis mainly through several steps. First, it facilitates the building of mutual trust among members, and accelerates creation of an implicit perspective shared by members as tacit knowledge. The key factor for this step is sharing experience among members. Second, the shared implicit perspective is conceptualized through continuous dialogue among members. The dominant mode of knowledge conversion here is externalization. Tacit field-specific perspectives are converted into explicit concepts that can be shared beyond the boundary of the team. Dialogue directly facilitates this process by activating externalization at the individual levels. It is a process in which one builds concepts in cooperation with others. It provides the opportunity for one’s hypothesis or assumption to be tested. As Markova and Foppa (1990) argue, social intercourse is one of the most powerful media for verifying one’s own ideas. As such, participants in the dialogue can engage in the mutual co-development of ideas. Next comes the step of justification, which is the process of convergence and screening, which determines the extent to which the knowledge created within the team is truly worthwhile for the organization. Typically, an individual justifies the truthfulness of his or her beliefs based on observations of the situation; these observations, in turn, depend on a unique viewpoint, personal sensibility, and individual experience. When someone creates knowledge, he or she makes sense out of a new situation by holding justified beliefs and committing to them. Under this definition, knowledge is a construction of reality rather than something that is true in any abstract or universal way. The creation of knowledge is not simply a compilation of facts but a uniquely human process that cannot be reduced or easily replicated. It can involve feelings and belief systems of which we may not even be conscious. Nevertheless, justification must involve the evaluation standards for judging truthfulness. There might also be value premises that transcend factual or pragmatic considerations. The inducements to initiate a convergence of knowledge may be multiple and qualitative rather than simple and quantitative standards. Finally, we arrive at the stage of cross-leveling knowledge. During this stage, the concept that has been created and justified is integrated into the knowledge base of the organization, which comprises a whole network of organizational knowledge.
 * Source:** http://proceedings.informingscience.org/IS2003Proceedings/docs/138Vat.pdf
 * Focus:** Organization


 * Definition 4:** Knowledge synthesis is a strategy for combining information from research with information from policymakers and practitioners in a systematic and transparent way in order to promote the use of knowledge by disease prevention workers, health care providers and their professional associations, patients and patient groups, managers of health care and disease prevention institutions, health insurers and policymakers.
 * Source:** http://www.zonmw.nl/fileadmin/Nieuws_2007/10_oktober/knowledge_01.pdf
 * Focus:** Health Research