Project 2: Annotated Bibliography

The first step in the academic research process is becoming familiar with the “conversation” surrounding your chosen research topic. Researchers and writers do this by carefully reading a variety of articles and published studies about the topic, as a way of learning what others have said about the topic to this point.

To organize and track the sources they find, researchers write a “bibliography,” or a list of relevant sources. Often, researchers will “annotate” this list, which means they provide summaries of each source in the bibliography. This is called an “annotated bibliography.”

Researchers then use this group of sources to understand different perspectives people have about the topic, as well as “connections” in the conversation—points where different writers and researchers agree/disagree, and points they do not discuss. Based on these sources, researchers develop their own original studies, as you will do in the Project 3 Primary Research Report.

Project Rubric | Guide to Writing Annotated Bibliographies | Sample Project

Audience

You should write for others in our class who will also be using these sources for their research, as well as for yourself (since you will not remember the details of each source later in the semester!). As always, write so that a general academic audience could understand—give sufficient context and details.

Method of Delivery

Your project should include the following:

  • APA-formatted title page
  • Introduction (350-500 words): The introduction should provide an overview of various perspectives on the topic and discuss the relationships or “connections” between the sources. It should also explain possible research questions that you might want to explore in your subsequent Primary Research Report.
  • Alphabetized APA-style citations at least FOUR peer-reviewed sources
  • Individual summaries (250-300 words) of at least TWO peer-reviewed sources:
    • Each summary should discuss the key information in the source. Use a balance of summary, paraphrase, and quotation to explain the article’s goal (thesis), research question or focus, hypothesis, methods, key results, and conclusions or implications. Include accurate in-text citations, including page numbers for all quotations and paraphases.
  • Revised Project 1 summary: Include the citation and summary in alphabetical order with the rest of the sources and summaries.

Additional Information

  • Use APA style for the formatting of the paper and for all citations
  • This project is worth 15% of the final course grade
Targeted Course Objectives
  • examine similarities and differences in forms of inquiry and writing across academic disciplines
  • practice analytical reading strategies and hone the ability to summarize, paraphrase, draw evidence from, synthesize, and respond to the scholarship of others
  • learn to find and evaluate print and electronic sources appropriate for academic research projects
  • practice critically evaluating your own and others’ work and collaborating effectively with other writers throughout the writing process
  • practice and refine technical skills in areas such as grammar, mechanics, and source documentation