Annotated Bibliography vs. Literature Review

An organized list of citations/sources to books, articles, and documents.

Each citation is followed by a brief descriptive and evaluative paragraph (a.k.a. the annotation).

An organized discussion of  published information like surveys scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations, conference proceedings) in a particular subject area (and/or a subject within a certain time period) relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory.

It provides a description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work.

For both, consider that any collection of materials on a topic, not necessarily the great literary texts of the world, can be included.

“Literature” could be anything.

• Help keep track of sources efficiently
• provide a short summary of the reading, including content and focus
• inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the source
• evaluate the methods, conclusions/findings, and reliability
• record your reactions to the source
• state how the source will be used in the paper or project

• provide an overview of sources explored (surveys the literature)
• provide solid background (summary of prior research) for a research paper
• synthesizes (integrates and analyzes) information about the subject
•  Demonstrates what you have learned from other literature
• critically analyzes  the information gathered and provides new ways to interpret research  
• Identifies gaps in the literature and point the way forward for future research
• establishes credibility for your work
• demonstrate how your research fits within the larger field of study

Notice, there a BIG DIFFERENCE between the two.

An annotated bibliography is mostly a summary of the reading and a place for you to talk about how and why the literature fits in to your research.

A Lit Review provides a summary + critical analysis + synthesis + overview of prior work done on a subject + reveals gaps in research

Full Citation

Paragraph/section 1: short summary of article in your own words.

Paragraph/section 2: evaluation 

• Short discussion of your reactions, usage of source, and arguments with in source

*SOME annotated bibliographies require an introduction. Ask your professor if this is a requirement. If an introduction is required, it should be less than a page long and should include the following:

• give a basic summary of the research you’re conducting, why you’re conducting it, and the general direction you think your argument will take

Introduction:

• Defines topic and establishes reasons/point of view for reviewing literature
• Explains the organization and layout for your writing (see Literature Review page for more information)
• Provides further background (scope or research, history and progression of topic, methods and standards for selection of literature) as needed

Main Body: Often organized chronologically, thematically, or methodologically and contains your discussion of sources—

•  Provides analysis and synthesis of one more sources at a time based on theme and organization of literature review
• Details how each work is similar to and/or how it varies from others
• Offers conclusions about methodology, persuasiveness, value, objectivity, and contribution to understand of area of research
• Move from a general, wider view of the literature to the specific focus of your research

Conclusion:

• Summarize key points in your main body
• Evaluate current state of literature
• Outlines areas for future study—where might discussion proceed?

Notice that an annotated bibliography has less sections AND does not require as much detail or analysis of sources like Literature Reviews do.

Annotated Bibliographies often include personal reactions and opinions and may use 1^st person (I/me), but literature reviews do not provide personal arguments or opinions and are written in 3^rd person (never use I/me).

1. Literature search -- finding materials relevant to the subject and knowing where to look
2. Review and examine—determine if sources meet criteria (author, date, edition, type, etc.)
3. Cite—cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate style
4. Annotation—write concise annotation

1. Problem formulation -- which topic or field is being examined? What are the research questions?
2. Literature search -- finding materials relevant to the subject and knowing where to look
3. Data evaluation -- determining which literature makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the topic.
4. Analysis and interpretation -- discussing the findings and conclusions of pertinent literature