Applied Psychology - From Theory to Practice

Annotated Bibliographies and Literature Reviews

These links provide information on how to critically analyze sources, catalogue these sources using annotated bibliographies, and write a literature review.  Critically Analyze Sources: The Seven Steps of the Research Process http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill1.htm (Cornell University) This site describes how to critically analyze information sources http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill26.htm (Cornell University) While this site discusses the distinction between scholarly journals and non-scholarly periodicals http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill20.html (Cornell University) Annotated Bibliographies: University of Canberra: Academic Skills Program, Annotated Bibliography http://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/writing/bibliography Cornell University Library: How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill28.htm Library Services: Writing an Annotated Bibliography http://lib.calpoly.edu/research/guides/bibliography.html The Owl at Purdue: The Annotated Bibliography http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/01/

Sample APA Annotation (for a book so it is not as applicable for your research articles)

Ehrenreich, B. (2001). Nickel and dimed: On (not) getting by in America. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

In this book of nonfiction based on the journalist's experiential research, Ehrenreich attempts to ascertain whether it is currently possible for an individual to live on a minimum-wage in America. Taking jobs as a waitress, a maid in a cleaning service, and a Wal-Mart sales employee, the author summarizes and reflects on her work, her relationships with fellow workers, and her financial struggles in each situation.

An experienced journalist, Ehrenreich is aware of the limitations of her experiment and the ethical implications of her experiential research tactics and reflects on these issues in the text. The author is forthcoming about her methods and supplements her experiences with scholarly research on her places of employment, the economy, and the rising cost of living in America. Ehrenreich’s project is timely, descriptive, and well-researched.

(The annotation above both summarizes and assesses the book in the citation. The first paragraph provides a brief summary of the author's project in the book, covering the main points of the work. The second paragraph points out the project’s strengths and evaluates its methods and presentation. This particular annotation does not reflect on the source’s potential importance or usefulness for this person’s own research.) (Above copied from -- http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/03/)

(See below for a very good example and steps to use for each article)

Literature Reviews:

The Writing Center at the University of Wisconsin – Madison

This link provides simple bulleted guidelines to walk you through the process of writing a literature review

http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html

The Literature Review: A Few Tips on Conducting One

Presented by the University of Toronto, this link provides a concise definition and specific questions to address as you write a literature review

http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review

Here are some examples –

http://libguides.uwf.edu/c.php?g=215199&p=1420828