Trial and error is a fundamental part of how we work as human beings. There is no learning or understanding without it and no "figuring it out" without it. So that dichotomy between "trial and error" and "find and synthesize" doesn't exist. They are the opposite sides of the same coin. You can't have one without the other.

Finding and synthesizing doesn't do you any good if you're unable to meaningfully apply it or understand what you're applying and what you're applying it to.

Trial and error also doesn't do you much good without the ability to back it with knowledge and to find the relevant knowledge.