Annotated Bibliography Basics Hillary Wentworth, Writing Specialist Walden University Writing Center

Annotated Bibliography Basics

Hillary Wentworth, Writing SpecialistWalden University Writing Center

Session Overview

What are annotated bibliographies?

• Overview of purpose• Expectations for format and organization• Strategies for fulfilling KAM Depth

expectations• Examples

Annotated Bibliographies

What does the term mean?According to Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary:

Annotate— “to make or furnish critical or explanatory notes or comment”

Bibliography— “the history, identification, or description of writings or publications”

How do these definitions combine?


The purpose of an annotated bibliography:• To demonstrate knowledge and critically

assess• To share the value of a source• To inform fellow or future researchers

about a topic or a source• To gather sources for literature review


For your KAM Depth section, the typical format is a list of reference entries followed by annotations.–Alphabetized by author–Usually no headings or additional

spacing–Brief


Additional requirements for KAM Depth section:–At least 15 current articles (not books or

websites)–Scholarly sources–Usually from the last 3-5 years–More source tips:

http://catalog.waldenu.edu/mime/media/7/648/KAM_Guide_Sept2009.pdf

Bird’s-Eye View

The Reference Entry

Article with DOI:Author, A. (year). Title of article. Journal Title,

v(i), pp-pp. doi:245wgh/340/st9

Article with journal home page:Author, A. (year). Title of article. Journal Title,

v(i), pp-pp. Retrieved from http://www.journalhomepage.com

The Reference Entry

Article with database search page:Author, A. (year). Title of article. Journal Title,

v(i), pp-pp. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com

More reference tips:Common Reference ExamplesElectronic Sources


Within each annotation, there are typically three elements:1. Summary2. Critique/analysis3. Application/value

These elements can often be formatted as three paragraphs.

1. Summary Paragraph

You will want to answer some or all of the following questions:

• What is the topic and purpose of the study?• What actions did the researcher perform and

why?• What were the methods?• What was the theoretical basis?• What were the conclusions?


• Take careful factual notes while reading• Use the past tense– Smith and Jones found…• Use your own words (not the abstract of the

article)• Focus on purpose, methods and findings.

Remember, you don’t have to include everything.


Thompson, Kirk, and Brown conducted a study to determine how burnout and emotional exhaustion of female police officers affect their family environment based upon role ambiguity and role overload. Thompson et al. mailed out surveys to 1,081 female police officers employed by the Australian State Police; however, only 421 surveys were useable. The researchers predicted that supervisor support would reduce role stressors and emotional exhaustion and improve family cohesion and conflict. They found a relationship between supervisor support and reduced role stressors, family functioning, and emotional exhaustion, but did not find a correlation between coworker support and work stress. Thompson et al. suggested that further research is needed on how emotional exhaustion affects family stressors in policewoman.

2. Critique/Analysis Paragraph

You will want to answer some or all the following questions:

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the article?– Methodology, language, organization, detail

• What, if any, information is missing?• Is researcher bias present? • Is the article scholarly or generalizable? Why or why

not?


• Take questioning notes while reading.• Break it up: Focus first on strengths and then

on weaknesses.• Start with your overall view and then get

more specific as you go through the paragraph.

• Do not feel the need to be “nice.”


Although Masterson et al. made a significant contribution to the field of police research, the article had several limitations. First, the researchers chose a small and specialized sample that did not include policewomen or other minorities. Second, the researchers potentially influenced results by asking leading questions in the interviews and focus group meetings. Therefore, further research is needed with a wider demographic range and completely impartial interviewers.

3. Application Paragraph

You will want to answer some or all of the following questions:

• Does this article fill a gap in literature?• How does the study apply to your KAM?• Is the article universal?• How does it inform your professional field?


• Jot down three things you’ve learned from reading the article. Use these to write about the overall value.

• Ask yourself• How the source is different than others in

the same field or on the same topic.• How the source informs your future

research.


This study was valuable to understanding the relationship between employees’ views of change and the coping mechanisms used. Based on the results, the business sector should reinforce positive emotions to reduce withdrawal and increase commitment to the change. This implication aligns with Kotter’s 8-step change model emphasizing the positive and reinforcing employees for their efforts. This study, as well as Kotter’s model, will serve as the basis for the Business Change Strategy of my Application.

Poll: What Is It?

This case study exemplified applying models of change theory in a practical setting. The analysis clearly laid out each step of the process, the obstacles, and how they were effectively overcome. The limitations include the fact that the case study only involved one hospital and one change initiative. Additionally, the case study was based on the observations and analyses of one person, the main change agent. While this information is valuable, the observations and analyses might differ from person to person.

Poll: What Is It?

Bouckenooghe, Devos, and Van Den Broeck argued that to effectively manage and plan change organizations must clearly define the basis for the change. The researchers conducted this study to determine the situations under which change occurs, which included an instrument to measure the climate, process, and readiness of change. Bouckenooghe et al. followed the principles of psychometric theory to ensure content, construct, and criterion validity of the organizational change questionnaire instrument. The authors argued that readiness of change is comprised of emotional, cognitive, and intentional dimensions, which are predominantly influenced by the climate and process of change. As a result of this study, the authors successfully developed a validated instrument to help organizations effectively implement change.

More Tips on Annotations

• No citations crediting the source or outside sources– The presence of the reference entry makes

citation redundant• No direct quotes– The reader will want to hear your interpretation of

the material• Limited referrals to the first person– Be objective and removed in your description of

the source

More Tips on Annotations

• No anthropomorphism– The article stated… The study found…Better:– The authors stated… The researchers found…

Smith and Jones conducted…• Support analysis with example.• Problematic: The researchers did an excellent job.

Q&A Box: How could you make this sentence better?

Poll: What’s Wrong?

In this longitudinal study, Myers and Foster (2009) measure the relationship between change-related information and change-related self-efficacy for employees engaged in organizational change. Members of the Queensland Public Service Department participate. The findings suggest that a positive relationship between efficacy and change-related information is indirectly related to employee well being, client engagement, and job satisfaction.

More Resources

• Walden Library: http://library.waldenu.edu/• KAM Exemplars:

http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/1335.htm• KAM Intensives:

http://kamintensives.waldenu.edu/• Scholarly Writing:

http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/1082.htm

Questions

Now: Use the Q&A box onyour screen

Later: Email the tutors at [email protected]

Documents

Annotated Bibliography Basics Hillary Wentworth, Writing Specialist Walden University Writing Center