Annotated Bibliography Project
1) Decide on your research question—ask your instructor for help if you
are not sure if your question is appropriate.
2) Find the 7 best sources related to your research question (1 book, 3
database journal articles, and 3 websites).
3) Put your sources in MLA or APA citation format and alphabetize them.
See the Pocket Handbook, online citation generators, and library handouts
4) Describe: Write a description of each source
a) Note who the author is and her credentials/background
b) State the author’s thesis (look at introduction/abstract/preface)
c) Describe the main focus of the source (look at table of contents)
d) Is there anything that makes this source notable (does it have a
useful bibliography, is it the most in-depth, etc.)
5) Evaluate: Write a critical evaluation of each source (5 W’s)
a) Is the source accurate, reliable, or biased in any way?
b) How does it compare to other works on this topic?
c) Does the author back up his claims with evidence?
d) Is it written for a particular audience (scholars/gen. public)
e) What are the strengths and weaknesses of the source?
6) Reflect: Write about your impressions of the source and its usefulness
a) How will this source help you answer your research question or
support your argument?
b) How did it change the way you think about your topic?
c) Your overall conclusions about this source.
* Each annotation needs to be AT LEAST 5-7 sentences *
Examples of Annotations
Kreie, Jennifer, and Timothy Paul Cronan. “Making Ethical Decisions.” Communications of the ACM 43.12
(2000): 66-71. Proquest Central. Web. 2 Sept. 2009.
The authors, professors of computer systems, present findings of a study of 300 college students
to support their theory that businesses who promote a strong ethical code of conduct can
influence employee behavior. While the results of the study appear valid the survey is limited in
its scope to a small population. A comparison of a similar survey conducted in a work place
would be a valuable addition to this study. While the authors’ conclusion that people rely on
their personal values when making ethical decisions is perhaps stating the obvious, this article
provides a good starting point for additional research on the topic.
Lange, Karl P. "Native American Medicines and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.” Journal of Western
American History 51.4 (July 1992): 534-568. General One File. Web. 3 Oct. 2009.
Lange, a Doctor of Naturopathic medicine at Eastern State University, presents a convincing
argument that the Lewis and Clark expedition would have failed had they relied solely on the
medicines in common use at the time. Lange supports his arguments with numerous passages
from the published journals and letters of expedition members. This very informative article is
illustrated with numerous diagrams of native plants used by the expedition and contains an
extensive bibliography of additional resources. This source will be invaluable in describing the
use of naturopathic remedies throughout American history.
Young, Kimberley. Caught in the Net: How to Recognize the Signs of Internet Addiction and a Winning
Strategy for Recovery. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1998. Print.
Dr. Kimberly Young is a specialist in neuropsychology and behavioral medicine. In 1994, she
completed the first study of Internet Addiction Disorder through the use of a questionnaire
based on the criteria used to diagnose compulsive gambling and alcoholism. 500 people
volunteered to complete the questionnaire and Young concluded that 80% of the respondents
were Internet addicts. Many other psychiatrists have criticized this study, arguing that Internet
addiction is not a legitimate addiction. However, Young's study is still significant because it
developed awareness about Internet addiction and its negative repercussions. Any paper about
Internet addiction should mention this seminal research, however flawed the results might have
been.