REM 505: Winter, 2009

Details on REM 505 Assignment #4: Annotated Bibliography


Complete a bibliography of sources relevant for your thesis topic, each with an annotation summarizing the reference and noting how you might use it in your thesis. Format the bibliography with each reference followed by its annotation rather than a list of annotations and a bibliography at the end. You are expected to include at least 8 sources and provide annotations for each at least ½ page long.

The document should include your name, a working title of your thesis, a summary of your proposed project, and an annotated bibliography. The document should be at least 4 and no more than 6 pages (preferably double-spaced) long.

The summary of your own project should be 100-300 words long (include a word count). Summarize the project in such areas as research questions, study location, variables, methodology, and methods. Address these areas as possible at this point in your proposal development.

The bibliography should be arranged in alphabetical order and in APA or Chicago Manual of Style's Author-Date format (list which one you are using). Try to select your readings to cover a range of aspects relevant to your proposal (e.g., previous relevant studies, study location, variables, methods, etc., not just the study area). Following each bibliographic citation, include your annotation.

In each annotation, include a brief summary of (1) what was done (the specific problem addressed), (2) the broader context or central theme of the work, (3) how it was done (methods, variables, methodology), (4) the major conclusions, (5) your critique (flaws in reasoning, force of argument, problems, new directions), and (6) the source's application/applicability to your topic. (Note that this list of things to include does not apply equally to all possible sources—some sources do not lend themselves to all of these components. Use your best judgement here.)

This assignment will be graded based on grammar and format (20%), logic and clarity (20%), breadth and content (60%). The annotations will be graded based on overall quality and how well you address the six components listed above.

Finally, a couple of links which describe annotated bibliographies in more detail:

Bob's Homepage # Geography Dept. # CWU

 

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