Preparing an Annotated Bibliography

1. Preparing an Annotated Bibliography Setting the stage for your research

2. Bibliography • A list of sources • Sometimes called a “works cited”, “reference list” or “references”

3. Annotation • A summary or an evaluation of a book, article, website or other publication http://www.masters.ab.ca/bdyck/Justice/Web%20page/Summary/index.1.jpg

4. Annotated Bibliography • Contents: • APA formatted bibliography • A summary or an evaluation of each source • Summarize • What is the point? What is the main idea? • Assess • Is it useful, reliable? How does it compare to other sources? • Reflect • How does it relate to your research?

5. A Good Annotated Bibliography • Requires you to think critically • about the content of the works you are using • their place within a field of study • and their relation to your own research and ideas • Proves you have read and understand your sources. • Establishes your work as a valid source and you as a competent researcher. • Provides a way for others to decide whether a source will be helpful to their research if they read it.

6. Elements to Include • APA Bibliography • Explanation of main points and/or purpose of the work—basically, its thesis—which shows among other things that you have read and thoroughly understand the source. • Verification or critique of the authority or qualifications of the author. • Comments on the worth, effectiveness, and usefulness of the work in terms of both the topic being researched and/or your own research project. • The point of view or perspective from which the work was written. For instance, you may note whether the author seemed to have particular biases or was trying to reach a particular audience. • Relevant links to other work done in the area, like related sources, possibly including a comparison with some of those already on your list. You may want to establish connections to other aspects of the same argument or opposing views.

7. Types of Annotations • Summary • Informative • basically a summary with a bit of interpretation • Indicative • General information regarding issues or questions focused on in the work

8. Critical/Evaluative Annotation • evaluate the source or author critically (biases, lack of evidence, objective, etc.) • show how the work may or may not be useful for a particular field of study or audience • explain how researching this material assisted your own project

9. Combination • A little summarizing, describing and a bit of evaluation.

10. Why do it? • To receive a grade • To learn about your topic • To help others

11. General Format • Write in paragraph form (one to two paragraphs) • give a few sentence summary • Is the author reliable? • Is the information biased or objective? • Is the source scholarly or popular? • Write several sentence relating to your research • How does it fit into your research? • Is it helpful? • Too scholarly, not scholarly enough? • Too general/specific? • This will be helpful when writing your literature review!

12. Example • AIDS and women (2004). In physicians’ desk reference. Retrieved January 3, 2006, from Physicians’ Desk Reference database. • This medical resource entry covers both the symptoms and pathology of the active AIDS virus in women and a sequence of charts that map the spread of the disease continent by continent since its identification in the early 80’s. This information will significantly strengthen my paper’s argument that overlooking or concentrating less on AIDS in women can have devastating social and medical consequences. http://faculty.ircc.edu/faculty/ekromhout/Sample%20APA%20Annotated%20Bibliography%20With%20Instructions%20updated%20spring%202006.doc

13. Helfand, J. (2001). Screen: Essays on graphic design, new media, and visual culture. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.Helfand’s collection of essays (previously published in Eye magazine) focuses on how technological sophistication and the power of online communications have changed the manner in which computer users perceive, critique, and embrace visual and auditory design on the World Wide Web. Her subtle thesis suggests, however, that most web “denizens” ignore the impact of design during online expeditions---unless the design imposes itself between the users and their goal. The author’s experience as a visual/virtual designer leads her to offer a critical review of how the ease of electronic design (due to prefabricated software templates) may not necessarily result in the most efficient design for web audiences, and that while contemporary web designers may possess a functional design literacy, they are not equipped with the kind of critical literacy that will lead to aesthetic and performative innovations. Helfand argues that web designers should pay greater attention to the development and influence of aural design as well as the visual if they are to remain in step with their online audiences, although the years following the publication of the text suggest that the influence of aural design may still remain ahead.  Helfand's arguments have merit and her concepts inspire the reader to continue thinking on the topic. However, the lack of a bibliography or research beyond her own analysis make the text only  moderately appropriate in relation to a scholarly project.

14. American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (5th ed.). Washington, DC.: American Psychological Association. • (Note: the APA format for a book citation is used here) • Indispensable guide for students, teachers and researchers in a range of social sciences including psychology, nursing, criminology, sociology, and business. Sets out in detail the requirements for the preparation and submission of manuscripts for publication. Guidelines are also provided on how dissertations can be readied for journal publication. Discusses some specific rules for usage and grammar but does not address general problems of writing and language. This edition has updated its instructions on the preparation of abstracts, guidelines for reducing bias in language and its guidelines for the construction of tables and submitting papers electronically. The Manual has also updated and clarified the formats for electronic and legal referencing, and added new material in the statistics section. Special aids allow one to locate references easily - checklists and cross references facilitate ease of use. A detailed table of contents includes lists of tables and figures. The bibliography includes a helpful section on suggested reading. Appendices include a checklist for manuscript submission.

15. References • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/01/ • http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/annotated_bibliographies.html • http://faculty.ircc.edu/faculty/ekromhout/Sample%20APA%20Annotated%20Bibliography%20With%20Instructions%20updated%20spring%202006.doc • http://www.victoria.ac.nz/library/instruction/additionalguides/annotatedbib.aspx#evaluative