Describe the action required by the cognitive verb "Synthesize".

The action described by the cognitive verb "Synthesize" involves the ability to combine elements from various sources to create a coherent and unified whole. This process requires critical thinking and analytical skills as it goes beyond merely summarizing or stating information. It emphasizes the integration of diverse ideas, concepts, or data to provide new insights, draw conclusions, or formulate new understandings.

For instance, when a student synthesizes information, they might take findings from multiple research articles on a topic and weave them together to form a comprehensive view or theory. This merging of information allows for a deeper investigation and fosters innovative perspectives that might not be evident when each piece of information is considered in isolation.

The other options each focus on different cognitive actions. Identifying similarities and differences pertains to comparative analysis rather than synthesis, while highlighting differences centers on distinction rather than integration. Lastly, explaining the meaning or significance of data is more aligned with interpretation, which does not involve the combination of elements that synthesis requires.