Student Learning Outcomes
This annotated bibliography module will enable a researcher to:

 

 

Definition
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, journal articles, and other works accompanied by descriptive and/or critical paragraph length summaries.

 

 

Explanation
An annotated bibliography has two parts:
  1. Citation - Bibliographic information formatted according to a specific style (e.g., Turabian, APA, MLA). Bibliographic information usually includes the work's:
    • author
    • title
    • date
    • publisher information
    • volume/issue number

  2. Annotation - Descriptive and/or critical paragraph length summary of the work. The summaries of the work may include its:
    • scope or purpose
    • intended audience or level
    • expertise and credentials of the author(s)
    • objectivity of author(s)
    • special features
    • timeliness
    • critical or descriptive evaluation

Annotated bibliographies are useful because they help a researcher:

  • identify current publications in a specific discipline or on a particular topic
  • become familiar with relevant publications
  • gain perspective of a topic
  • organize resources by recording citations and summaries
  • assess the appropriateness and relevance of their sources

 

 

Examples
The following abstract is written in APA style:

Mallett, C., & Hanrahan, S. (2004). Elite athletes: why does the 'fire' burn so brightly? Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 5, 183-200.
        Mallett and Hanrahan attempted to use Self Determination Theory (STD), which identifies the social and contextual conditions that create a motivational climate, to discover what motivates elite athletes to perform at such a high level. Athletes usually experience either intrinsic or extrinsic motivational factors to inspire them to demonstrate their competence at an elite level. The authors conducted qualitative interviews with 11 track and field athletes (who had received medals in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games) to gather data on motivational forces. Data from these interviews indicated that all of the elite athletes were mainly intrinsically motivated. They were highly driven by personal goals; had strong self belief; and, their sport was central to their lives. From the findings of this study, Mallett and Hanrahan concluded that when elite athletes accomplished their goals, it enhanced their perception of their competence, which positively influenced self determined motivation. Although the study supported earlier research in the area, the authors acknowledged that further studies on motivational influences are necessary to provide more substantial documentation. Written by C. E. Thompson, Librarian, UWF Libraries.

The following abstract is written in MLA style:

Davis, Lloyd S., and Martin Renner. Penguins. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2003.
        This book is concerned with the fascinating family of penguins. Davis (Univ. of Otago, New Zealand) and Renner (independent scholar) deal with the historical approach to penguins and their relationship to other birds and also to each other. The authors consider the different species of penguins and how they forage and live in a harsh world. Then they deal with mate selection and courtship, breeding places, parental care, and egg and chick mortality. Finally they discuss molt and migration and the major problem of conservation in a changing world. Throughout this work there are figures, tables, and some nice color plates. The book includes a substantial list of references. Recommended. General readers; lower-level undergraduates and above. Written for CHOICE by C. J. Pollard, emeritus, Los Angeles Unified School District , Sept. 2004.

 

 

Related Links And Other Resources
Here are some related resources that you can use if you'd like to learn more about this particular topic.

 

 

Exercise
Now it’s time to test what you’ve learned. Click here to test your knowledge. Be sure to print out your score or e-mail it to yourself or your instructor as proof that you have completed this tutorial.

 

 

Acknowledgements
Finley, Melissa. Writing an Annotated Bibliography. History Workbook, 2003.

Cornell University - Olin and Uris Libraries. How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography. http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill28.htm

East Carolina University. Joyner Library Academic Library Services. How Do I Write an Annotated Bibliography? http://www.lib.ecu.edu/Reference/howdoi/annotbib.html

Purdue University Online Writing Lab. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/index.html

University of Wisconsin-Madison. Annotated Bibliography. http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/AnnotatedBibliography.html

 

 

Credits
Caroline Thompson

cthompson@uwf.edu

August 25, 2004