Sociology: 2. Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography Assignment

Create a research question pertaining to one of your topic's aspects from the last assignment, find 4 credible sources that help answer the question, and write an annotated bibliography of those sources using APA style.

Create a Research Question & Identify Keywords

1. Choose one of the aspects of your topic that interested you from the first assignment.
2. Create a question about this aspect that you want to learn more about.
   • Topic: Prison
   • Aspect: Education in prison
   • Research Question: Should convicts be offered the option to attend college in prison?
3. Re-read the sociological definition and “See also” entries. Identify useful keywords.
   • Keywords: prison, college

Find Articles

1. Use OneSearch below to search your keywords.
2. To the left of the results, limit the Creation Date to the last 5 years. Click Refine.
3. To the left of the results, click on Journal Articles.
4. Identify articles that could help answer your research question. Click on the title link.
5. Click on the Email button and email it to yourself.
6. Send all potential articles to your email (at least double what you need).

Find a Book Chapter (Optional)

1. Use OneSearch below to search your keywords.
2. To the left of the results, limit the Creation Date to the last 5 years. Click on Refine.
3. To the left of the results, click on Books/eBooks.
4. Identify books that could help answer your research question. Click on the title link.
5. Click on the Email button and email it to yourself.
6. Send all potential books to your email.

Find a Credible Website (Optional)

1. Go to Google below.
2. Type in your keywords and add site:.gov or site:.org to search government or organization websites.
   • Ex. Prison college site:.org
3. For .org websites, check the About Us page to uncover bias and/or hidden agendas:
   • Where do they receive funding?
   • What is their mission?
4. Take notes on their information about the social issue and how they address the issue for your annotation.
5. Save the link to the website.

Review Articles

1. Is the author a subject expert (has at least a Master’s degree)?
2. Is the topic in the author’s field?
3. Read the abstract (first paragraph).
4. Read the conclusion or discussion (last section before the references).
5. Select 2-3 articles that address different aspects of your research question.
6. Read selected articles fully and take notes for your annotation.

Download the APA Bibliography Template

1. Download the APA Bibliography Template below.
2. Type your research question into the Title spot.

Get the APA Citations

1. Go to your email that has your articles and books.
2. For your 2-3 selected articles, click on the link to see its record on OneSearch.
3. Click on the Citation button and the APA (6^th edition) link.
4. Copy the citation to clipboard.
5. Paste it into the APA Bibliography Template where citations appear.
   • Citations should be alphabetical by the first word of the citation (usually author’s last name).
6. Check that your APA Citations are correct with the PSCC Libraries’ APA Guide below.
7. For a website or book chapter, use the APA Guide to create its citation.

Write the Annotation

In 5-7 sentences, summarize the main points of the source. Focus on how it helps answer your research question.