How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography WHAT IS AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY? • An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited. THE PROCESS • Creating an annotated bibliography calls for the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library research. • First, locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may contain useful information and ideas on your topic. Briefly examine and review the actual items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic. More on the Process • Cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate style. • Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that (a) evaluate the authority or background of the author, (b) comment on the intended audience, (c) compare or contrast this work with another you have cited, or (d) explain how this work illuminates your bibliography topic. CRITICALLY APPRAISING THE BOOK, ARTICLE, OR DOCUMENT • INITIAL APPRAISAL: • CONTENT ANALYSIS: • Author • Intended Audience • Date of Publication • Objective Reasoning • Edition or Revision • Coverage • Publisher • Writing Style • Title of Journal • Evaluative Reviews Initial Appraisal • Author • • • Check the author’s credentials, affiliations, background, or past writings and experiences. What are the author’s values, political orientation, associations. Date Published • Is the article too old? • What Edition • Are there other editions or revisions? • The Publisher • Type of Article • Did this come from a Journal, magazine, newspaper, Academic Journal? Content Analysis • Audience • • Objective Reasoning • • • • Who was the article written for? Is the article too elementary, too advanced, etc? Is the article balanced? Is it full of facts, opinions, or propaganda? Does the information appear to be valid, well-researched and supported? Are the authors views impartial? Is it free of emotion arousing words? Coverage • • • Are the author’s sources up-to-date? Is the source marginally on your topic or extensively? Is the material primary or secondary in nature? More on Content analysis • Writing Style • • • • • Is the article written in an organized and logical manner? Are the main points presented clearly? Was the article easy to follow? Are the arguments repetitive? Reviews • • • • Locate any critical reviews of books or periodicals on your sources. Find out what others had to say… Book Review Index Book Review Digest Periodical Abstracts SAMPLE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRY FOR A JOURNAL ARTICLE • Waite, L. J., Goldschneider, F. K., & Witsberger, C. (1986). Nonfamily living and the erosion of traditional family orientations among young adults. American Sociological Review, 51, 541-554. • The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living. Reference Olin and Uris Libraries, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853 http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuri s/ref/research/skill28.htm
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