What is an Annotated Bibliography?
An annotated bibliography in APA style is a list of citations for various books, articles, and other sources on a topic. The annotated bibliography looks like a Reference list but includes an annotation after each source cited. An annotation is a short summary and/or critical evaluation of each source.
The purpose of an annotated bibliography is to provide an overview of the research that has been completed on a topic. It allows readers to identify the quality of sources located and helps them decide if they want to use the source in an essay, research paper, or project. Annotations also demonstrate that you have read and researched sources that you may or may not end up utilizing.
APA Annotation Format
The format of an APA annotated bibliography varies depending on the style guide being used, but generally includes the following sections:
Bibliographic citation in APA format
Indentation
Annotation
The annotation will follow the bibliographic citation with a 1/2 inch indentation (usually 5 spaces). It provides a brief summary of the source and any evaluation if appropriate. Length usually ranges between 100-150 words.
The components of the annotation include:
An objective or factual summary highlighting the source’s key points
An assessment or evaluative opinion of the source’s value, reliability, biases
Relationship of the source to your research topic or paper
The summaries should be concise yet include enough information to allow readers to determine if the source is useful for their needs.
APA Annotated Bibliography Template:
Here is an example of what an APA annotated bibliography template/entry would look like:
Smith, J. D. (2020). How social media is affecting mental health. American Psychological Association, 35(1), 56-64.
Smith’s journal article discusses how increased social media use can negatively impact mental health, especially in young adults and teens. The article provides an in-depth analysis of current research studies examining correlations between social media addiction and depression, anxiety, loneliness, and decreased self-esteem. Smith’s scientific approach and use of multiple peer-reviewed sources lends credibility to the conclusion that social media presents both risks and rewards depending on how it is used. This source would be useful for my research paper examining the relationship between social networking and adolescent well-being.
Ortega, F., & Brown, P. (2019). Social determinants and mental health outcomes: A case study. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 12(3), 178-190.
In this case study, Ortega and Brown examine how socioeconomic factors like income level, housing stability, and access to healthcare influence rates of mental illness. The study focuses specifically on a low-income urban neighborhood and identifies correlations between social risk factors and higher rates of depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia. While based on a small sample size, the case study presents valuable qualitative data to supplement broader quantitative research. This source would help introduce social/environmental influences on mental health to provide context for my paper.
Types of Annotations
There are generally three types of annotations that can be used in an APA annotated bibliography:
Descriptive Annotation
A descriptive annotation simply describes the source content by summarizing key elements like the article’s subject, scope, author’s thesis, and research methods. It objectively relays what the reader should expect from the source but does not evaluate or critique it. This is a good option for less significant sources that provide helpful context or background information rather than critical analysis.
Analytical Annotation
An analytical annotation provides more depth than a descriptive summary by including some critical evaluation of the quality and relevance of the source. In addition to describing key aspects of the work, it analyzes the author’s thesis and approach, potential biases, use of evidence, and contributions to the research topic or issue. The evaluation aims to be unbiased yet also conveys the source’s overall value and credibility.
Evaluative Annotation
Evaluative annotations compile both descriptive and analytical elements to not only evaluate the source’s significance and contribution to the research topic but also relate it to your own points of view or position. In addition to critically assessing the work and how well its arguments and conclusion were supported, it reveals how the source informs your own research perspective in both positive and negative ways. This allows you to consider counterarguments and use sources to defend your own thesis.
Formatting the Annotated Bibliography
When formatting an APA annotated bibliography, it is important to follow standard APA style rules:
Use 12-point Times New Roman font, double spaced lines, 1-inch margins
List entries in alphabetical order by author’s last name
Include an in-text citation that corresponds to the full reference list citation
Center the word “References” at the top of the page without bold, italics, or quotation marks
Align subsequent lines of each citation at the left margin and indent annotations 5 spaces
Continue double spacing between reference citations and their annotations
While the format is fairly rigid, the writing style can vary depending on the desired annotation type (descriptive, analytical, or evaluative). Keep annotations concise yet comprehensive so readers understand the source’s essence and its implications for the research project.
The purpose of an annotated bibliography is to provide readers with a useful reference tool for evaluating sources related to a research topic. Following APA style guidelines for formatting citations and annotations ensures consistency and credibility. With practice, annotated bibliographies can demonstrate deep understanding of available literature and inform the analysis in academic papers.
Andrew Stroud