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the historical development of knowledge on the topic. An
annotated bibliography should communicate to the reader
Not just how the sources you are using or groups of sources you are
summaries referring to help the progression of your thoughts on the
topic and develop your argument.
You may not accept all the ideas presented in the sources
in their entirety; you may agree with some ideas but reject
others. It is essential to reflect on them in relation to other
ideas that influence your thinking process on the topic. In
Influential other words, you are not conducting your literature review in
summary the order in which you read the sources; instead, you should
express how they have shaped your thoughts and led you to
the conclusions or arguments in the research paper.
Needless to say, a research paper will not contain the
detailed annotated bibliography that a thesis, which may
devote an entire chapter to the literature review, would have.
Not all the sources you have referred to will find a place in
Annotated
bibliography your research paper or thesis, but those that have influenced
you or shaped your thoughts should certainly be duly
distinction
acknowledged. The works that have influenced you most in
the research output, whether you accepted or rejected them
and moved forward, should receive greater significance in
the review than ones that have been marginally influential.

Detailed note-taking, not a full summary, of the thoughts
that relate to your questions and your reflections as you
Annotated read them can be the first step to creating an annotated
bibliography bibliography. As synthesis of the readings advances with
process more relevant readings added to your research, you may
revisit the reflections you noted down and add the revised
thoughts to them as separate notes. Your reading strategy,
note-taking strategy, and reflections all contribute to the
success and strength of your annotated bibliography.

A sample of annotated bibliography
Smith, J. (2018). The Effects of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health: A Com-
prehensive Review. Journal of Youth Studies, 25(3), 345-362.

In this article, Smith examines the relationship between social media usage and
mental health among adolescents. The author explores various studies conducted
in recent years and provides a comprehensive review of the topic. The article high-
lights the potential negative effects of excessive social media use, such as increased
feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It also discusses the importance
of digital literacy and healthy online habits for promoting positive mental health.
This source is valuable for my research as it offers a detailed analysis of the current
understanding of the impact of social media on adolescent mental health.

62 SGOU - SLM - Foundational Skills for Research and Writing