Maximising technology usage in research synthesis of higher education professional development research

Research synthesis, a systematic accumulation, analysis, and reflection on a full body of relevant empirical evidence related to a particular research question, is a time-consuming and arduous task requiring the inclusion of multiple research points of view in the analysis process. LeximancerTM, lexical analysis, and concept mapping software has provided a method for reducing vast pools of research literature down to highly desirable research literature portions. It is not the authors' intention to provide an analysis of the documents retrieved for the research synthesis, but rather to articulate a method of content analysis that incorporates the use of technology to assist in the initial steps of a research synthesis. This chapter promotes the use of technology tools to enhance the critical review of evidence-based publications to make the identification of relevant articles more efficient and effective.