The advice in this brochure is a general guide only. We strongly recommend that you also follow your assignment marking criteria and seek clarification from your lecturer or tutor if needed.
What is an Annotated Bibliography?
An annotated bibliography provides a brief account of the available research on a given topic. It is a list of research sources that includes concise descriptions and evaluations of each source. The annotation usually contains a brief summary of content and a short analysis or evaluation. While an annotation can be as brief as one sentence, the standard annotated bibliography consists of a citation followed by a short paragraph. An example is provided below.
Aim of the Annotated Bibliography
In this case the annotated bibliography will: * review the literature of a particular subject; * explore and organise sources for further research; * allow you to get acquainted with the material available on a particular topic.
Questions to Consider
You need to consider carefully the texts that you select for your annotated bibliography. Keep the following questions in mind to help clarify your choices. 1. What topic/ problem am I investigating? 2. What is the aim of your bibliography? 3. What kind of material am I looking at and why? Am I looking for journal articles, reports, policies or primary data? 4. Am I being careful in my selection of texts? Does each text relate to my research topic and assignment requirements?
Which writing style should I use in the annotations? * Each annotation should be concise. Do not write too much—remember, you are writing a summary, not an essay. Annotations should not extend beyond one paragraph. * As this is not an extended piece of writing, only mention significant and relevant details. * Any information apparent in the title of the text or journal can be omitted from the annotation. * Background materials and