Synthesizing
Think about the best choice using the information you gathered.

Synthesis is the act of combining ideas and information into a product that is new to you.

The research process does not go in a straight line. You may need to repeat some of the steps. Keeping your guiding question in mind, discuss how the information you found helps answer the questions you posed.

Open and Print your completed Note Sheet.
Check off all questions answered sufficiently.
Identify new insights and discoveries of importance.
Condense, combine and/or rearrange your information into categories as needed.
Write down new ideas and thoughts that arise as you and your partner look over your notes.
Identify what information you still need to gather.

Continue researching and gathering information until you are confident that you have complete information.

Print out your completed Notes Sheet and check in with your teacher.

Next you will evaluate the six diseases and make a reasoned decision as to what two diseases (one communicable and one noncommunicable) are most in need of additional research funds.

Use the Disease Rating Chart to help you make your decision. Rate the diseases on each of the listed Criteria (1=low, 2=medium, 3=high priority). If you can, add another criteria that would be helpful in evaluating the diseases. You may add that to the chart in place of the words "Other Criteria" and use it to rate the diseases. Total the points for each disease to see which ones are most in need of research funds. The highest point totals will be the diseases you find most worthy.

Keep in mind the answers you found for these important questions:

1. Is a cure close to being found or is it far away?
2. How does this disease affect our society?
3. What are the arguments against funding for this disease and how would you counter those arguments?

Use the facts you have uncovered to form reasoned opinions to the questions listed on the Disease Planning Sheet. State your opinions gained from thinking about what you have discovered in your research. Remember to use 3 facts from your research in your statements.

Then, open the Disease Evaluation Chart and report your decision about which communicable and non-communicable disease should receive the research monies from The Bellingham Research Endowment Corporation.