Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography

This assignment is designed to help you evaluate sources of information. An annotated bibliography includes all of the citation information needed to find a source and a paragraph describing the source.

1. Find a minimum of six sources on your topic –      these should be your best sources so that means you will likely have      reviewed at least twice this many
2. ONLY use MLA citation formatting and use it      consistently in the assignment
3. Look for reliable, valid sources that discuss      research and use academic language
4. As you write your annotated paragraph include      both a summary of the source AND an evaluation of the validity of the      source and its usefulness. Paragraphs should be in full sentences 70-200 words long. Length of the entry is often linked with      the length of the source.
   1. Summarize the content of the source – be       descriptive and specific
   2. Evaluate the accuracy and validity of the source
   3. Describe the usefulness of the source
5. The format should list the citation, then the      appropriate paragraph annotation followed by the next citation and      annotation. All entries should be      typed and double spaced.

Brief Example:

Castro, P., Huber, M.E. 2005. Marine Biology. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill. 451p.

This college-level classroom text provides an overview of oceanography, marine organisms, marine ecology, and human relationships with the ocean. Microbes are described in detail in one chapter but are again discussed in the context of different marine ecosystems. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes are detailed with descriptions of their varied metabolic reactions. Relationships of microbes to other organisms through symbiosis are highlighted as well as concerns of humans through plankton and microbial blooms. The text also emphasizes how understudied marine microbes are due to research interests and the difficult of studying fragile organisms at sea. As a recent publication by qualified marine researchers and teachers, Castro and Huber, with extensive academic review, the information is current and valid. The source provides an excellent overview for the advanced beginner including glossary and appendices, but requires knowledge of basic biology and chemistry.

Identifying valid sources:

· Look for the author’s credentials. Are they a person who has a documented knowledge of what they’re researching? Who is paying them to write this?

· When was the source created? Could research since the time of publishing have changed the information included in your source? If so, look for more recent works that give you the same (or different) information.

· What type of source is this – peer-edited journal, website, book?

· The depth and level of detail offered in the source. It should be appropriate to your level of understanding but use relevant vocabulary and cite research to support its information.

Rubric:   Annotated Bibliography

6

4

2

0

TOTAL

(30)

Quality of Sources

All sources demonstrate careful consideration of validity   and sources do not repeat same information

Several sources are credible but others are not current or   have questionable validity

Sources meet guidelines for types selected but there is no   consideration of validity

Sources do not meet guidelines for types of sources used

Accuracy

Includes the complete and accurate bibliographic citation   for each source and is organized according to citation method used

Makes 3-5 errors on citations.

Makes 6-10 errors on citations.

Makes more than 10 errors on citations.

Annotations Content

Summaries are accurate, evaluation addresses   validity of source and usefulness for assignment is included for every   source

One component of the annotation is missing or very limited   in several citations

One component of the annotation is missing in many   citations

Little or no information specific to the source is   included

Annotations   Structure

Well-written, unique to the source, avoids vague   statements. Appropriate length.

Well written but contain some generic statements OR not   appropriate length.

Poorly written, many generic statements, too short

Annotations are missing or are not coherent.

Overall Quality

Bibliography could be used to generate a comprehensive   research paper with excellent sources.

Bibliography provides sources to create a paper on the   topic but is missing some key information

Sources miss key topics required by presentation   assignment

Sources used would not create an informative paper