1) search world cat, and combine them with the features available in amazon.com (related books, “search inside,” reviews, table of content and front and back matter)
2) identify the appropriate online journal databases for your subject (OCLC, Ingenta, ABI inform; Wilson Omni, J-Stor for materials 5+ yrs old, etc)
3) Learn how to search by subject, keyword, author, date
4) Learn how to mark and save references you found, and how to transfer them electronically. You will have to turn in a copy of the saved searches to your Professor. And, it will form the basis for your annotated bibliography
5) Learn how to use google scholar – to locate relevant articles quickly and for free
6) If you found a useful article, scan carefully the references for further useful materials
7) Learn how to read abstracts carefully and evaluate their appropriateness for your research
8) Learn how to order articles and books via interlibrary loan
9) Go physically to the shelves, where we have books located and browse for interesting and relevant materials
To get you started, please write a 200 –300 word statement on which topic you will be writing about. This should contain an explanation of
1) what your subject area is and how it relates to class
2) state the question you will be looking at?
3) why this is interesting?
4) what hypothesis (gut feelings you have) about your question
5) what works you have considered at this point. There should be a minimum of 3 references that you have consulted. These can be books, articles, or websites.
Add three annotations to this abstract. This will be your Draft for the Annotated Bibliography.
An annotation is a critical evaluation of an article, book, or other reference examined of about 100-200 words. Your annotation is tailored to your particular research question. For example, if you are interested in masculinity and alcoholism, examine the reference you find in regards to
- How useful and appropriate it is for your research topic
- what does it tell you about your research topic
- Is the nature of the reference theoretical or a case study?
- what new questions or issues does it bring up
- does it challenge other theories or hypothesis you have come across?
- Are there poignant quotes that say in a nutshell something you would like to cite in a paper? Include the quote in your abstract
In short, annotations are working documents that help you keep a record of your research journey. Over the course of your research, you will come across many new issues and questions, and you will most likely meander from your original question. To keep a record of this changing perspective, and to develop a body of knowledge about your particular subject, such annotated bibliographies are indispensable for larger research papers.
Annotated bibliographies are lists of scholarly journals and articles about a defined and specific research topic. They are the basis from which to write larger research papers. In this course, I expect you to develop a valid research question, stated in a 200-300 word abstract, and a list of at least 10 detailed annotated and complete references. A draft of this work is due in Week 11. The final version is due at the first day of the finals week.
The following example uses the APA format for the journal citation:
Goldschneider, F. K., Waite, L. J., & Witsberger, C. (1986). Nonfamily living and
the erosion of traditional family orientations among young adults. American Sociological Review, 51, 541-554.
The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation
and
This example uses the MLA format for the journal citation:
the Erosion of Traditional Family Orientations Among Young Adults." American Sociological Review 51 (1986): 541-554.
The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation
and
To make sure that you are on the right track, turn in a sample annotation on 4/13. Make sure to include your research abstract (including title), a complete reference for one source, and an annotation.