Annotated Bibliographies -What are they and why are they used for…..

H. Stephen McMinn, Biology Subject LibrarianBrookens Library

Abstract vs. Annotated Bibliography

The Abstract -- A summary of a work’s content Like all summaries, abstracts cover the

main points of a piece of writing Abstracts help you decide whether an

article is relevant for your purposes

The Annotated Bibliography

A list of sources that provides publication information and a short description of each source called an annotation

Some annotations merely describe the content and scope of the source

Others evaluate the source’s authority, currency, and relevance to a researcher’s purpose

What is an Annotation?

A descriptive summary or explanation of a resource

Provides information about the content of the material

Provides an evaluation or critique of a resource (an evaluative summary)

Why Write an Annotation?

Purpose of writing an annotation:– Show that you’ve done thorough research– Provide additional information to make it

easier to use the bibliography– Get a better sense of the “scholarship” on

the subject matter– Provide the reader with enough information

to know whether they want to look at the resource for their own research

Things to include in an Annotation:

Summary of: Purpose, arguments and ideas

Description of what is included in the material - some specifics

Evaluation and critique of its relevance to the research project at hand

Mechanics… Use complete sentences. Keep them in

the same present verb tense. Use your own ideas, words and

sentences. Do not simply quote the author.

Each annotation should be 3 to 5 sentences long. But sometimes it will be necessary to provide more than this.

Give a description of what the resource is about.

Books/Book Chapters -- Where to get information for annotations Read, review and thoroughly examine the book or

chapter. For books:– read the book, the introduction, the preface, the

chapter titles and the summaries.– If you can’t read the entire book, read the chapters

that are relevant to your research. – Make note of additional items such as graphics,

pictures, charts, index, works cited list, and notes.

Articles -- Where to Get Information for annotations Read, review and thoroughly examine the article. For articles:– Read the entire article.– Make special note of the introductions to the article

and the conclusions or summaries drawn.– Do not simply quote the summary or abstract provided

at the beginning of scholarly journal articles.– Decide whether the additional information provided,

such as images, and graphs, are useful in supporting the text.

Article - ExampleErinosho, Stella Y. “The Making of Nigerian Women

Scientists and Technologists,” Journal of

Career Development 24.1 (1991) : 71-80. Women in Nigerian universities represented only 17% of scientific-related enrollees in 1984 & 1988 respectively. The purpose of this survey was to determine what some of the factors are that reinforce women’s desire for and success in the sciences in Nigeria. Provides biographic portraits of a few successful Nigerian women. Includes survey data with responses from 209 of 520 Nigerian women in science and technology professions and university departments.

Book -- ExampleIrukwu, Enoh Etuk. Footprints: The Evolution of the

Nigerian Woman. Lagos, Nigeria: Talkback Publishers Limited, 1994.

This book provides an overview and examination from the beginning of Nigerian independence in 1960. Offers a brief examination of some historical moments wherein Nigerian women came to the fore. Sets the tone for Nigerian women’s progression since independence and situates their role in the development of the entire nation.

Another Book Example

Nwankwo, Nkechi. Gender Equality in Nigerian Politics. Lagos, Nigeria: Deutchetz Publishers, 1996.

Being the editor of Sunday Champion and holding a master’s degree in mass communications provides the author with a good foundation for examining the role of the mass media in hindering and potentially enabling Nigerian women’s participation in politics. Examines obstacles to women’s power, representation, and participation in the media. The author utilizes the example of Norway for examining strategies for increasing women’s participation in politics.