Final answer:
The process described is known as synthesis, which involves combining research from different sources to develop a deeper understanding of a topic, create new conclusions, and form informed judgments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of requiring students to read several journal articles on a controversial topic, weigh various pieces of evidence, synthesize the information, and determine how the findings contribute to understanding the topic is known as synthesis.
Synthesis involves integrating research by combining information from various sources to create a new, deeper understanding or a changed perspective of a topic. This process requires not only summarizing the gathered information but also making connections between different sources and your thoughts, thereby developing a unique point of view or interpretation. Synthesis enables researchers to support claims, arrive at new conclusions, and consider what evidence to use in support of a thesis and how it can be used effectively.
Furthermore, synthesis is a crucial part of critical thinking, helping students develop the ability to solve problems through analysis and evaluation of evidence to form a judgment. By synthesizing information from multiple sources, students can make claims about the consequences or implications of their research, identify areas of agreement or disagreement between sources, and find areas for further study.