One academic genre that helps in critically evaluating and documenting relevant literature is the annotated bibliography. With an annotated bibliography, you are exploring the literature and developing a list of possible sources that could be applicable to your research topic. However, it is more than just a reference list of citations. Each citation is followed by a single paragraph of about 150-200 words where you summarize the key points as well as discuss the relevance and quality of the sources you have selected. This compilation of summary, evaluation, and reflection is called the annotation.
An annotated bibliography requires the application of a few higher order skills: critical identification of relevant sources, discerning and presenting key points, and a concise analysis of the quality of the sources.
Therefore, to recap, these are the main steps you need to take to complete an annotated bibliography
• Cite the source using APA style.
• Summarize: What is the main thesis presented by the author? What are the main points presented in support of the thesis? Provide the key points related to the purpose of the study, methodology, participants, and results. Omit unnecessary details.
• Evaluate: Did you find this source useful, reliable, and relevant? Why or why not? How does it compare with other sources that you have selected? Are there similarities or differences in the way the topic has been presented? Is the author an expert in the field? How can you determine that? Is the presentation well balanced? Are the key arguments well supported? What kind of sources does the author use as support? Are they scholarly, reliable, and credible sources?
• Reflect: Was this source helpful to you? What aspects of the source will you be able to use in your study? Do you have a different viewpoint about your topic now after reading this source? Discuss.
Format to follow:
• Cite the source in APA Style.
• Follow the citation with a single block paragraph of not more than 150-200 words comprising your annotation (summary, evaluation, and reflection). Word limit is important so make sure you revise carefully and remove unnecessary details prior to submission.
• The whole block should be double-spaced and indented an additional two spaces.
• Apply research skills to access and evaluate scholarly information resources to assess their quality and credibility (reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, point of view, and bias).
• Analyze and synthesize scholarly literature in critiquing different research genres.
• Engage in ethical scholarship and utilize appropriate citation and referencing skills associated with dissertation and scholarly writing to avoid plagiarism/matching text.
• Examine connections between the various academic writing genres (article critiques, annotated bibliographies, article synthesis), and how they contribute to the development of the literature review and to the dissertation