Creating an Annotated Bibliography
You are about to start a research project, and you need to get a baseline understanding of the topic, so you head to the internet to find some source literature and learn more. You end up finding a ton of different sources, and you start to lose track of what each source said and which ones you should remember to reference in your research. If only there was a tool to help you keep your sources organized!
An annotated bibliography is a powerful tool for organizing your research and refining your topic. It’s not just a list of sources; it’s a roadmap for your research journey. Sometimes an annotated bibliography will be required as a stand-alone assignment, while other times it’s done as a preliminary step towards a literature review.
This guide will help you create an annotated bibliography that will streamline your research process and ensure comprehensive coverage of your topic.
Step 1: Start Broad, Then Narrow
- Begin with a general topic area that interests you.
- Conduct a preliminary internet search to identify key themes and subtopics.
- You may employ a Generative AI tool to identify key search terms for your topic.
- Check out this video on developing Search Terms.
- Gradually narrow your focus based on what you find most intriguing or relevant.
Step 2: Identify and Collect Sources
- Use your university’s library databases, Google Scholar, and other academic search engines.
- Using your search terms, look through the titles that come up in your search results
- Aim for a mix of source types: peer-reviewed articles, books, reports, and credible websites, unless specific by your instructor or your assignment.
- You are likely going to look through at least 15–20 titles, but be prepared to add more as you delve deeper.
Step 3: Read and Evaluate Sources
- Skim each source, starting with the abstract, to determine its relevance to your topic.
- If you feel the source may be useful to your research, start a document where you start a list of relevant sources and their links.
- Make sure you evaluate the credibility and authority of each source before adding it to your list.
Step 4: Write Annotations
For each source, write a concise annotation (150–200 words) that includes:
- A brief summary of the main points or arguments.
- An evaluation of the source’s credibility and relevance to your topic.
- How this source fits into your research and relates to other sources.
- Add an APA formatted Full Citation for each source on your list.
Step 5: Analyze and Synthesize
- Look for patterns, themes, or contradictions across your sources.
- Consider if you have sufficient depth and breadth of coverage for your topic.
- Add or remove sources as necessary to achieve a well-rounded bibliography.
Step 6: Use Your Bibliography as a Research Tool
- Refer back to your annotations as you write to quickly recall key information.
- Use any connections between sources you’ve identified to structure your research paper or report.
- Continue to update your bibliography as you encounter new sources during your research.
Starting to research new topics can be overwhelming, but by following these steps, you’ll create a comprehensive guide to sources on a given topic. An annotated bibliography not only helps you narrow your research topic; it also provides a solid foundation for writing an in-depth report. Remember, this is an iterative process – don’t be afraid to revisit and revise your bibliography as your research evolves. Tools like annotated bibliographies can help you streamline your research process and improve your academic writing.
