Annotations:
You will be providing an APA Reference for each of 4 career-related Internet sources. Under each Reference you will need to write an annotation with an evaluation of the source identified in the Reference.
An annotation is a single paragraph of several sentences under a Reference. The annotation
summarizes briefly the content of the source, which you have identified in your Reference. Use
at least two of the following criteria to evaluate each of your four Internet sources in the annotations:
(1) Accuracy (2) Authoritativeness (3) Objectivity (4) Coverage (5) Currency
You will need to write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme (what’s the whole point of the article?) and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that (a) evaluate the authority or background of the author, (b) comment on the intended audience, (c) compare or contrast this work with another you have cited, or (d) explain how this work backs up or supports your topic.
SAMPLE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRY FOR A JOURNAL ARTICLE
The following example uses the APA format for the journal citation.
Waite, L. J., Goldschneider, F. K., & Witsberger, C. (1986). Nonfamily living and the erosion
of traditional family orientations among young adults. American Sociological Review, 51 (4), 541-554.
The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.
1. Authoritativeness: who are they? What makes them an authority?
2. Objectivity: they use good, believeable data
Accuracy: One or more individual authors (exclude webmasters) and a sponsor can be identified and contacted. References, citations, or other documentation of evidence are available through which a reader can verify claims made in a source. A check of independent sources, such as database articles, supports the claims and facts made by the site under evaluation.
Authoritativeness: The credentials of the Web site’s author and his/her affiliation are identified. Or the backgrounds of members of a sponsoring organization are provided. Or the expertise of the sponsoring organization is acknowledged easily by looking at other sites. The Web domain of the source shows one of the following: .gov for a government publication; .org for a professional association or organization; or .edu for an educational institution.
Objectivity: The purpose of the site is stated, as well as any bias. The content consists mostly of facts and descriptions, or an argument is presented with a fair representation of different points of view. No advertising and commercial sponsors are associated with a Web site in a way that could influence the content.
Currency: The source shows a recent copyright and/or revision date.
Coverage:The scope of the discussed topic is adequate in regard to the site’s purpose.The links cross-reference a variety of sources for additional information. The source does not restrict access through fee requirements, copyright restrictions, or special registration and affiliation.
