ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
In the second stage of your project you are required to complete an annotated
bibliography of the sources you intend to use for you research. Before we begin however you
need to know what an annotated bibliography is.
WHAT IS AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY?
Like any bibliography, an annotated bibliography begins with a properly formatted
alphabetical list of research sources. But in addition to bibliographic data, an annotated
bibliography provides a concise summary of each source and some assessment of its value or
relevance. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and
evaluative paragraph, the annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader
of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.
THE PROCESS
An annotated bibliography involves a few steps:
1. Locate books, periodicals, and other documents that may contain useful information and
ideas on your topic. Briefly examine and review the actual items. Then choose those works
that provide a variety of/best information/perspectives on your topic.
2. Cite the book, article, or document in bibliographic format.
3. Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or
article. Include one or more sentences that (a) evaluate the credibility author and of the
source (b) What the source discusses (c) How the information would be useful to your
research
TIPS FOR CREATING AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Use complete sentences.
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Annotations (comments) are usually no longer than 150 words for each resource.

Use the bibliographic style of your research paper or project i.e. APA

Create the standard bibliography and then add your citation to the resources.
Your job is to look through the resources available to you both in the library and on the
internet. Remember when you are examining potential sources that you must examine them
for content and quality. Is the information related to the topic you have chosen? Does the
information help you when researching your topic? Is the author/source credible and
trustworthy?
After you have looked through several sources decide which ones will be able to help you in
your research paper. Remember, you must have FIVE sources for this part of the project; TWO
of them HAVE TO BE BOOKS!!!
Sample Annotated Bibliography
Colvin, Richard Lee and Martha Groves. "Schools Learn Perils of Using a Single Test." Los
Angeles Times 25 September 1999: A1.
This article discusses the recent grading mistakes made by some of the top test-making companies
in the United States. The results supplied by CTB/McGraw-Hill sent over 8,600 students in New York
to summer school, by mistake, due to faulty results. This has also occurred with other publishers and
in other states. With so much at risk, such as high school graduation, it is imperative that results are
given accurately. It is also necessary to make sure standardized tests are not the only factor in
getting a diploma or advancing to the next grade.
Herman, Joan L. and Jamal Abedi. "Assessing the Effects of Standardized Testing on
Schools." Educational and Psychological Measurement 54 (Summer 1994): 471-482.
This article gives statistical data collected from upper elementary teachers in 48 different
schools. 450 questionnaires were sent to the teachers to get information on what they thought of
standardized testing. Questions included: how much pressure is felt from the principal or school
district, how much time is spent reviewing for standardized tests, and to what extent changes in test
scores are due to a change in instruction. The surveys were given out to all types of schools, poor
and wealthy, and approximately 341 were received back.
Jones, Jeffrey M., M.D., Ph.D. "The Assessment Debate." Parent Soup 6 December 2000
<http://www.excepc.com/~presswis/assdbt.html>.
In this article the author supports the standardized, multiple-choice test. He believes the
professional test makers know how to create a good test for all students. He believes the tests are
valid and reliable and can be trusted, as opposed to performance tests. Performance tests include
essays that, as the author concludes, take too long to grade and cannot cover a wide variety of
subjects. The format should be kept the same, and the high-stake associated with the test should
remain in place. He believes people will complain no matter what the format.