Final answer:
The knowledge work activity that facilitates understanding through thorough examination and integration of information is synthesis, combining data from multiple sources to form new conclusions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The knowledge work activity that will help you answer questions and gain understanding through a thoughtful investigation and examination of the available data, information, and knowledge is synthesis. This process involves integrating various pieces of information, allowing for the creation of a new, deeper, or changed understanding of a topic. By synthesizing, you not only gather evidence but also make connections between different sources and your own thoughts, leading to original ideas and conclusions. To carry out an effective synthesis, one must conduct a comprehensive analysis, which includes the organization and examination of data. Additionally, practitioners of synthesis utilize their critical thinking skills to identify which evidence will best support their thesis or question. The process might resemble ripples in water, as suggested by Figure 13.6 from a text, indicating how thoughts can change and expand through continuous reflection and integration of new information.