An annotated bibliography provides a summary and evaluation of sources on a topic. It demonstrates the quality and depth of research by highlighting relevant journals, books, and websites. The annotation informs readers of each source's relevance, accuracy, and quality to explore and organize sources for further research. Each annotation includes a citation, summary of main ideas, evaluation of usefulness, and reflection on how the source aided the researcher. Annotated bibliographies help organize literature and communicate the value of sources to others.
2. What is the purpose of an Annotated
Bibliography?
Demonstrates the Highlights the scope
Review the
quality and depth of of sources available:
literature on a
reading you have journals, books,
subject
done sites …
Informs the reader of the
Explores and organise sources
relevance, accuracy and quality
for further research
of sources
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3. Parts of the annotation
The annotation must provide:
1 Citation
Provide the full bibliographic citation.
2 Summary
Summarise the main arguments /ideas presented
that are relevant to your assignment topic.
3 Evaluation Evaluate how useful you found the sources. Assess its
objectivity, reliability and bias, and compare it with other
sources you have used.
4 Reflection
Reflect on how you used the source in your research.
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4. Bibliographic Citation
List all sources in alphabetical order (according
to surnames) and include the annotation under
each source.
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5. Summary
Use the structure of the source to structure your
annotation.
eg. This chapter focuses on three issues which are …
If the author has a specific purpose behind
his/her writing, specify this.
eg. The author’s intention is to present an overview of …
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6. The Evaluation
Critique the source – evaluate its reliability or
objectivity.
Consider the journal’s reputation, author’s resume.
Is the text descriptive or analytical?
eg. Although an interesting chapter, it is mainly descriptive and does not
discuss options for prevention or treatment.
Look for evidence the author may have used to
support his or her ideas.
eg. The author supports this claim with statistics from the World Health
Organisation.
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7. The Reflection
How useful was this source in my research?
Did it add to my understanding of the topic?
Was it easy to read?
Are there any useful references to follow up?
How could other researchers use this source?
eg. Although the guidelines on this website for infection control are very detailed,
they are written in plain English and clearly articulate the message of thorough hand
washing as the main defense against the spread of germs.
eg While the focus of this chapter was very broad, the authors supply some useful
references for readers to pursue for more specific information.
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8. Example
1 Citation Trevor, C. O., Lansford, B. and Black, J. W. 2004. “Employee
turnover and job performance: monitoring the influences of salary growth and
promotion’. Journal of Armchair Psychology, vol. 113, no. 1. pp 56-64.
2 Summary In this article Trevor et al. review the influences of pay and job
opportunities in respect to job performance, turnover rates and employee
motivation. Their research focuses on assessing a range of pay structures
such as pay for performance and organisational reward schemes. 3
Evaluation Although the article was peer-reviewed a limitation of the article is
that the survey was restricted to mid-level management. 4 Reflection The
article is useful to my research topic, as Trevor et al. suggest that there are
numerous reasons for employee turnover and variances in employee
motivation and performance. This article will not form the basis of my
research; however it will be useful supplementary information for my research
on pay structures. The article was easy to follow and understand.
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9. Checklist: I’ve …
✔ used the referencing style specified.
✔ provided a brief overview of main ideas, using the
features such as the structure or purpose.
✔ evaluated the source for its objectivity and
reliability.
✔ commented on whether the source was useful.
✔ checked spelling, grammar and punctuation and my
writing is set out in a logical format.
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10. Final Points
Keep it concise. Remember this is a summary. Keep
to one paragraph.
Write in full sentences using academic vocabulary.
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11. References
Queensland University of Technology. 2012. “Writing an Annotated
Bibliography” Accessed May 29, 2012.
http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/write/annotatedbibliography.jsp
University of New South Wales. 2010. “Annotated Bibliography’ Accessed
May 29, 2012. http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/annotated_bib.html
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