Imagine you have a book titled “Writing a Stronger Dissertation as a PhD Student.” At the end of the book, the author includes a list of other authors and their works that were referenced in the book. Additionally, the author explains the significance of each reference in relation to their own work. This is called annotated bibliography. Additionally, the list of references includes not only the names of other authors and their works, but also specific information such as page numbers and journal details. These are called ‘citations’ and in this blog, we will know the role of ‘Annotated Bibliography’ in scholarly writing and as used in the APA citation/formatting. But first, let us know a little bit about bibliography before we move to annotated bibliography.
A bibliography is a list of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.) that have been used in research or referenced in a written work, such as an essay or book. It is usually listed at the end of the work and is used to give credit to the authors of the sources used. The format and style of a bibliography can vary depending on the citation style being used (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.).
Analyzing scholarly writing, APA formatting, and annotated bibliography
Scholarly writing is a type of writing that is typically used in academic and professional settings to communicate research findings and other information related to a specific field of study. It is characterized by a formal, objective tone and the use of evidence-based arguments and research to support claims and ideas. Scholarly writing can take many forms, including journal articles, research papers, and academic book chapters.
An annotated bibliography is a list of sources, such as books, articles, and documents, that have been used in research on a specific topic. Each entry in an annotated bibliography includes a citation for the source as well as a brief summary and evaluation of the source. The purpose of an annotated bibliography is to provide a comprehensive overview of the sources that have been consulted in the course of a research project and to assist others in identifying potential sources for further research. It is often used in academic research, and it can be a separate document or a part of a larger research paper.
APA formatting is a set of guidelines established by the American Psychological Association (APA) for structuring and formatting research papers and other written works in the field of social sciences. The guidelines cover a wide range of topics, including the organization of the paper, the format of citations and references, and the use of headings and other typographical elements.
Some of the key elements of APA formatting include:
Figure 1: Example of APA annotated bibliography
(Source: https://www.bibliography.com/apa/developing-an-apa-annotated-bibliography/)
Identifying the role of Annotated Bibliography in scholarly writing in APA formatting
In scholarly writing, an annotated bibliography plays an important role in providing a comprehensive overview of the sources that have been consulted in the course of a research project. It allows the author to show the reader the sources that were used to support the research and arguments presented in the paper, and it can also help the author to organize their thoughts and ideas before writing the paper.
When using APA formatting, an annotated bibliography typically follows the same basic format as a reference list, but with the addition of a brief summary and evaluation of each source. The summary should include a brief overview of the main ideas presented in the source and how they relate to the research topic. The evaluation should include the author’s assessment of the source’s credibility, relevance, and usefulness to the research project.
Annotated bibliography in scholarly writing, especially in social sciences, is a way to show the reader that the author has conducted thorough research and also it helps the author to identify the potential sources for further research. It also demonstrates that the author is aware of the existing literature on the topic and has considered multiple perspectives in developing their argument.