Week 7: Annotated Bibliography; Evaluating Sources; Library Database Orientation
Week of Mon, Sep 28 · week closes Fri, Oct 2
This week's items
Exact due times are in Canvas. Late out-of-class assignments accepted up to one week past the original due date. In-class process work and Discussion Board assignments cannot be made up.
Know these cold
- An annotated bibliography is a list of sources in MLA format where each entry is followed by a short annotation — typically 100–150 words — that summarizes the source, evaluates it, and explains how you will use it.
- The three-part annotation: (1) Summary — what the source argues and its main points. (2) Evaluation — who wrote it, for what audience, whether it is credible and current. (3) Use — how this source will contribute to your research essay.
- Source evaluation criteria: Currency (is it recent enough for your topic?), Relevance (does it actually address your research question?), Authority (who wrote it, and what qualifies them?), Accuracy (is the information verifiable?), Purpose (is it informing, arguing, or selling?).
- Peer-reviewed sources are vetted by other experts before publication. They are the gold standard for academic argument. Find them in EBSCO Academic Search Complete, ProQuest, or JSTOR via the PGCC library.
- The PGCC library database orientation on Tuesday will show you how to run an effective database search, apply limiters (date, full-text, peer-reviewed), and export citations to MLA format.
- Boolean operators help you refine database searches. AND narrows results (both terms required). OR broadens results (either term accepted). NOT excludes a term. Use quotation marks to search for an exact phrase.
- Popular press sources (news articles, magazines) are appropriate for current events and context. Peer-reviewed academic articles are required for scholarly argument. Know which your assignment requires.
- When evaluating a website, check the domain (.edu, .gov tend to be more reliable), find the author and their credentials, look for a publication date, and verify claims against other sources.
Discussion and forum — how to show up
Discussion post
- Locate one peer-reviewed article on your research topic using a PGCC library database. Write its MLA citation and one sentence explaining how you evaluated its credibility.
- What is the difference between an abstract and an annotation? Could you use an abstract as your annotation — why or why not?
Netiquette from the syllabus: address ideas, not people. Complete sentences, correct spelling. Personal matters go to email, never the board.
Meerk's quiz — open the Week 7 gate
10 questions, no time limit. 85% on your first attempt in a 24-hour window opens the gate. Retakes inside the window are practice — they help you learn, they don't count. Work alone; the point is to know it, not to have seen it.
Dinner Table Question
Ask at home: If you found ten sources on your topic, how would you decide which five to keep? What criteria would you apply — and which criterion matters most to you?
En español: Si encontraras diez fuentes sobre tu tema, ¿cómo decidirías cuáles cinco conservar? ¿Qué criterios aplicarías?