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French to English translations [PRO] Science - Science (general) / (as in a dissertation paper, not a summary)
French term or phrase:une synthèse
La synthèse suit à peu près la même logique de construction que la dissertation : introduction, développement, conclusion...
...La conclusion permet d’exposer l’idée qui vous semble la plus apte à conclure la synthèse. Contrairement à la dissertation, il ne faut ni résumer ni « ouvrir » la conclusion sur un thème plus général, sauf si celui-ci est exposé dans les documents.
Il ne faut, en aucun cas, donner son avis ou introduire des idées qui ne soient pas dans les textes à synthétiser, ni utiliser des formules qui pourraient faire croire que ce sont vos idées que vous exposez : « il me semble…, nous pouvons dire que… ».
Since it presents original experimental results, I cannot call the entire paper a "literature review." However, I suppose it could be reasonable to call the section that provides (extensive?) discussion/comparison of previous papers/results a "literature review."
It is standard practice to sandwich presentation of original experimental results between an introductory section that includes some very brief literature review and a discussion section that includes comparison with results published by other researchers.... even if the original research presented is a bit "outside the box." So only if the paper goes into a good deal of depth and is somewhat exhaustive in dealing with the body of relevant work that has already been published would I call the section a "literature review."
On the other hand, if the paper provides no more than the usual/appropriate/necessary situating of the original research within the existing body of existing knowledge, then it does not fit my idea of a "literature review"... but in that case you could perhaps translate synthèse bibliographique by "a brief review of literature" or something of the sort.
A literature review is a body of text that aims to review the critical points of current knowledge including substantive findings as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic. Literature reviews are secondary sources, and as such, do not report any new or original experimental work.
Most often associated with academic-oriented literature, such as theses, a literature review usually precedes a research proposal and results section. Its ultimate goal is to bring the reader up to date with current literature on a topic and forms the basis for another goal, such as future research that may be needed in the area.
The asker stated that this is for students that are beyond the high school level (see earlier discussion posts).
If the ''synthèse'' has to be objective (see asker's source text), can the word ''analysis'' be used? An analysis paper often involves arguments and critiques; see: http://www.academon.com/writing/analysis-paper.html
In fact, even a review of the literature paper contains the point of view of the student writing the paper.
The only objective type of writing that is similar is the '' annotated bibliography'', but it is written in outline form (alphabetical, no introduction, body, conclusion).
Trying to find the exact equivalent in English may be impossible.
To me it seems clear that this is education content aimed at high school students. The methodology to be used in "synthèse" is compared to "la dissertation" (nothing to do with master's degree or PhD thesis) and they are advised to avoid certain phrases because the grading reader could be mislead by them.
So, they won't be reviewing scientific literature writen by their academic peers.
''brief review of the literature'' related to the health effects of soy. It is not part of a thesis, but rather stands on its own. It reviews many documents related to the topic ''the health effects of soy''.
In the IUT where I work this exercise is regularly set as part of (or even the whole of) an exam, in various subjects from 'culture et expression' to marketing to 'distribution'. Apart from anything else, it stops the students from copying!! It depends if literature is taken as 'literary' or a general term for a selection of documents.
It seems literature review is getting the best response, only it seems that the comments are that they are normally only parts of a paper, where the syntheses that I have come across are papers in their own right, and more than just an occasional experience.
The context is often post graduate studies on
a subject, I have seen them mainly in law or science. It is
where someone is writing a paper that provides information
gleaned from other sources. For example a synthese on
biodiversity in maritime fisheries would present info from
varying documents on the subject. Gleaning all the
researcher found on the subject with intro, body and
conclusion. It does not put forth an opinion or new idea,
but rather the state of affairs.
I was googling and looking for an answer and found ''literature review'' in Word Reference before seeing your discussion post. Sorry. I can erase it and you can post it. Let me know.
Could you give us some context as to what is being summarised? Is this a literature review?
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Answers
22 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +3
document analysis
Explanation: It is an exercise in identifying and analysing the ideas set out in several documents on one topic. Frequently given in French higher education institutions.
liz cencetti Local time: 23:39 Native speaker of: English
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +3