Synthesise several sources into one view

You have read five things on a topic and they do not quite agree.

Synthesise the sources below into a single view.

1. **Where they agree.** Note whether agreement is independent or whether they are all citing the same original source, which is not the same thing.
2. **Where they disagree.** For each disagreement, say whether it is about facts, definitions, or values, and what would settle it.
3. **Relative weight.** Which sources should I trust more here and why: closeness to the data, method, track record, incentive to distort.
4. **The synthesis**: your best single account of what is true, with confidence marked per claim as high, moderate, or low.
5. **What is still open**, stated as questions rather than hedges.

Do not average the sources into a mush. If one is more credible, say so and let it dominate.

Sources:

Reading and synthesis. Getting the substance out of a document, and reconciling sources that do not quite agree.