Annotated Bibliography
Students will identify a topic of focus for the course—culminating in a final, written research paper (due at the end of the course). During this module, you will identify a topic (with input from the instructor) and prepare an annotated bibliography of five sources. Four sources will be from professional journals, and 1 from a popular source.
For this assignment, you will become familiar with resources of knowledge in this topic. You will research the internet or libraries for professional and popular sources of information and submit an Annotated Bibliography of your research. Instructions on the ingredients of this kind of Bibliography as well as how to write one follow below, but first I will provide some information that will permit you to distinguish between professional and popular information.
Blank journal and penProfessional information is research (empirical [observable] findings) and theories that are published or dispersed by and through professionally regulated print or electronic media. Individuals who provide this information are typically researchers or scholars who have earned credentials and/or acceptance by their particular group as professional members. In addition, all research in the social sciences of which Development Psychology is one, is dispersed through what is called peer-reviewed journals. A peer review journal is one where any article being submitted that is the result of research or a theoretical proposal must go through a review process. This article is sent by the editors of the journal to 2-3 professionals (peers) with expertise in the same content area. Only if the article is considered to make a new and accurate contribution to the field will it be accepted for publication. You often hear about information from these articles, such as those from The New England Journal of Medicine through secondary sources, such as broadcasters or professionals; but to read the articles, you would need to access the journal. If the information is being presented orally in professionally regulated conferences, the proposal for the presentation must also go through a similar peer review process before being accepted. In this way a field polices itself by making sure as much as possible, that information that is treated as knowledge is accurate.
Popular Information: In contrast, information for popular consumption does not need to meet these standards. Often this information refers to research, but is discussed and reported in language geared for the general public. It has been “translated” from academic or scholarly or scientific “language” into everyday language. The people doing this dispersing are also different. They may be professionals recognized in their field, journalists or writers, and the articles or presentations are not peer reviewed. The processes for determining the accuracy of the information are different. It could be the person is known and acknowledged in the field, such as the experts heard on television, or s/he has credentials. Often there are WEB sites by doctors and other professionals who are publicizing their expertise, and provide information about their specialty. Or, if the information is being published in a magazine, the editors may have to approve the article. Magazines about parenting, for example, or Psychology Today publish articles by professionals who are writing about psychology and development for the general public.
Assignment: Select and assess the level of knowledge offered in 5 sources of information on your chosen topic, 4 journal articles and 1 internet site. Write the results of our work as an Annotated Bibliography. Using the four links provided below, learn how to create an annotated bibliography (a bibliography with brief descriiptions of each source including how it is useful.) You may use any style format for bibliographic entries that you would like (Chicago/Turabian, APA or MLA), as long as you choose only one style and use it consistently.
What is an Annotated Bibliography?
How to Write an Annotated Bibliography (University of California, Santa Cruz Library)
Your annotated bibliography should have at least five entries. You must include academic journal articles and websites.
