Merge Stage
The Merge stage builds on discovered connections by synthesizing existing knowledge into coherent frameworks.
Objectives
- Conduct systematic literature reviews
- Synthesize key findings across sources
- Build conceptual and theoretical frameworks
- Identify gaps in existing knowledge
Key Activities
1. Systematic Literature Review
Comprehensive, reproducible search and analysis of relevant literature.
2. Concept Mapping
Visual representation of concepts and their relationships.
3. Theory Building
Develop or refine theoretical frameworks.
4. Gap Analysis
Identify what's missing in current understanding.
Outputs
| Output | Description |
|---|---|
| Literature Synthesis | Comprehensive review of existing knowledge |
| Conceptual Framework | Structured model of key concepts |
| Theory Documentation | Formal theoretical propositions |
| Gap Analysis Report | Identified knowledge gaps |
Next Steps
- Literature Review Techniques
- Concept Mapping Guide
- Move to Develop Stage when ready