Compiling a bibliography, or list of sources, is the first step in accomplishing a research project. However, a bibliography is a useful document in itself and is often published independently as a guide to other's research. Annotating is adding a summary and evaluation to each item on the list of sources.

FORMAT

The final version consists of 3 parts and can range in length from 9-14 pages: a short introduction of the topic (1-2 pages), a discussion of the research strategy (1-3 pages), and a descriptive listing of sources arranged in a meaningful way (7-8 pages).

PROCEDURE

You may use a topic assigned from another class that you may be taking, so that CI 50 research benefits the other course as well. Be sure to clear it with me first, though. If you don't have a research topic for another course, I will provide a list of topics from which you may choose.

Start early. Settle on a topic and develop a thesis statement as soon as you reasonably can. You may begin collecting sources for the final term project with the first class assignment. Use the research strategy techniques and tools we discuss in class to identify relevant writings (books, journal articles, government documents, etc.). You are free to use as many reference tools and campus libraries as appropriate.

Locate and examine the writings you have identified. Using your best critical judgment, and criteria introduced in lecture, choose 8-15 items that are the most useful. Keep thorough notes about where you found the items, what was most useful to use, why certain tools and/or strategies did/did not work as you thought they might.

Your final product must be typed and double spaced. For appropriate. bibliographic format, consult the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th edition. Multiple copies of this books are available on Reserve at the SSHL Circulation Desk.

Part one (1-2 pages) -- This is an introductory narrative section. Define and explain the subject of your research in a clear and specific fashion. Include important facts and ideas, as if you were writing a brief encyclopedia entry.

Part two (1-3 pages) -- Describe the strategy you followed as you researched your topic. This is where you will use the research notes described above in the PROCEDURES section. Consider, but don't limit yourself to, answering the following questions:

NOTE: If general (reference) works are included in this part of the project, they should be specialized and particularly useful. A book-length annotated bibliography might be appropriate; an unannotated one (since there would be little to evaluate) would not. Indexes and reference books covering a broad range of topics, even if they were used in locating items, should be discussed as part of section 2, the research strategy.

The annotations should be 2 generous paragraphs long. The first paragraph should be a detailed informative summary emphasizing the source or portion of the source that is relevant to your topic.

The second paragraph should evaluate and/or critique the source, discussing how the source contributed to your understanding of the topic. Include discussions of bias, currency, and completeness. This paragraph could also contain a brief comparison or contrast between this and other sources you have cited or will cite.




		Contemporary Issues 50 Information & Academic Libraries Term Project Guidelines INTRODUCTION The term project assignment in CI 50 is an ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY. Compiling a bibliography, or list of sources, is the first step in accomplishing a research project. However, a bibliography is a useful document in itself and is often published independently as a guide to other's research. Annotating is adding a summary and evaluation to each item on the list of sources. FORMAT The final version consists of 3 parts and can range in length from 9-14 pages: a short introduction of the topic (1-2 pages), a discussion of the research strategy (1-3 pages), and a descriptive listing of sources arranged in a meaningful way (7-8 pages). PROCEDURE You may use a topic assigned from another class that you may be taking, so that CI 50 research benefits the other course as well. Be sure to clear it with me first, though. If you don't have a research topic for another course, I will provide a list of topics from which you may choose. Start early. Settle on a topic and develop a thesis statement as soon as you reasonably can. You may begin collecting sources for the final term project with the first class assignment. Use the research strategy techniques and tools we discuss in class to identify relevant writings (books, journal articles, government documents, etc.). You are free to use as many reference tools and campus libraries as appropriate. Locate and examine the writings you have identified. Using your best critical judgment, and criteria introduced in lecture, choose 8-15 items that are the most useful. Keep thorough notes about where you found the items, what was most useful to use, why certain tools and/or strategies did/did not work as you thought they might. WRITING THE PROJECT Your final product must be typed and double spaced. For appropriate. bibliographic format, consult the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th edition. Multiple copies of this books are available on Reserve at the SSHL Circulation Desk. Part one (1-2 pages) -- This is an introductory narrative section. Define and explain the subject of your research in a clear and specific fashion. Include important facts and ideas, as if you were writing a brief encyclopedia entry. Part two (1-3 pages) -- Describe the strategy you followed as you researched your topic. This is where you will use the research notes described above in the PROCEDURES section. Consider, but don't limit yourself to, answering the following questions: How did I begin my research? Which basic/general sources were the most useful in leading me to more detailed sources? Which sources or types of sources did I use most, which did I use least, and why? Which sources worked and which did not, and why? What was the most important thing I learned? How would I do it differently next time? What skills or perceptions did I acquire? Part three (6-8 pages) -- Select 8-12 items that are relevant to your topic. Include a variety of publications (books, journal articles, government documents, etc.). Organize the listings of these items in a logical fashion that will enhance their research value. Examples are: alphabetically by author's last name, chronologically by publication date, by format type (i.e., bibliographies, books, articles, other). NOTE: If general (reference) works are included in this part of the project, they should be specialized and particularly useful. A book-length annotated bibliography might be appropriate; an unannotated one (since there would be little to evaluate) would not. Indexes and reference books covering a broad range of topics, even if they were used in locating items, should be discussed as part of section 2, the research strategy. The annotations should be 2 generous paragraphs long. The first paragraph should be a detailed informative summary emphasizing the source or portion of the source that is relevant to your topic. The second paragraph should evaluate and/or critique the source, discussing how the source contributed to your understanding of the topic. Include discussions of bias, currency, and completeness. This paragraph could also contain a brief comparison or contrast between this and other sources you have cited or will cite. EVALUATION AND GRADING Grading criteria include: Demonstrated ability to find sources on a specific topic. Demonstrated ability to organize, describe, and evaluate sources. A coherent and systematic research strategy. Use of a wide range of tools to find sources: catalogs, indexes, bibliographies, etc. Use of appropriate sources for the topic. Uniform and correct bibliographic citation. Informative and critical annotations. Correct spelling and grammar. Logical and useful arrangement of entries.