What is an Annotated Bibliography?
An annotated bibliography is a carefully curated list of sources, each accompanied by a concise annotation that summarizes the source's key findings and offers insights into its value and relevance to your research.
Bibliography: A simple list of relevant works (books, articles, etc.) on a specific subject.
Annotated Bibliography: Expands on this by adding a brief paragraph (annotation) after each citation.
Types of Annotated Bibliographies:
Annotated bibliographies can take different forms depending on the specific needs of your research. Three common types include:
Descriptive:
Provides a basic overview of the source.
Summarizes the main purpose, content, and conclusions.
Describes the intended audience and any special features (e.g., illustrations, maps).
Helps you determine if the source covers your research topic.
Informative:
Summarizes the source's key arguments and findings.
Typically includes the author's hypothesis, methodology, main points, and conclusions.
Remains objective and avoids personal opinions or evaluations.
Helps you understand the author's main points and conclusions.
Critical:
Goes beyond summary to offer an evaluation of the source.
Assesses the author's credibility, methodology, and the overall quality of the work.
May include positive and negative critiques, such as identifying biases, limitations, and the source's contribution to the field.
Helps you determine the source's reliability, validity, and usefulness for your research.
Often, a combination of the three types is employed. Please review your professor's requirements regarding the purpose and content of the annotation.
Common Information and Analysis in Annotations:
Author Credibility:
Academic credentials (degrees, affiliations)
Relevant expertise and experience in the field
Research Methodology:
Research methods employed (e.g., experiments, surveys, case studies)
Data sources and collection methods
Summary of Key Findings:
Main arguments, conclusions, and supporting evidence
Critical Evaluation:
Assessment of the work's strengths and weaknesses
Evaluation of the logic, evidence, and overall quality
Relevance to Your Research:
How the source supports or relates to your own research question and objectives
How the source contributes to the existing body of knowledge