FP130 Research Guide
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FP130 Research Guide

Evaluating Sources
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT

GOAL:

This assignment will:
  • Expose you to the variety of print and electronic resources available at USNA.
  • Develop your skills in locating, critically evaluating, and selecting the most important and appropriate sources for your project.
  • Underscore the importance of properly citing sources for academic work.
  • Introduce you to the major citation systems.
  • Assist you in creating research-based arguments through use of quality, scholarly sources.

THESIS:

On a separate sheet of paper, write the thesis of your research assignment.
A good thesis is a concise, provocative sentence on which reasonable people can disagree, that is supportable with research so that you persuade others to agree with you. Make sure that yours meets the following criteria:
  • Does it directly address the assigned topic?
  • Is it written as a statement with which it is possible to agree or disagree?
  • Is it tailored to a scope appropriate for the paper length?

RESEARCH:

For each of the media types listed below, find one resource that supports or refutes your thesis.
Media Type: Suggested Library Resource(s):
Book:
Newspaper article:
Scholarly journal article:
Popular press magazine:
Web site:

In addition, these other kinds of resources may also be useful:

Government Documents:
Audiovisuals:
Polling Data:
For each, write an annotation that includes:
  • the bibliographic entry as it will appear in your works cited page (Check with your instructor to find out which citation style he/she requires or recommends; then see Citing Your Sources on the FP130 Research Guide for examples and guidance)
  • a short summary of the source
  • evaluation of the quality of the source in terms of accuracy, authority, and overall usefulness
  • how this source will support or refute your thesis

NOTE: For additional information and sample bibliographies, see the Evaluating Sources Annotated Bibliography Assignment Tip Sheet.
Some of the links on this page are to sites that are not located at the United States Naval Academy. The USNA is not responsible for the content found on these sites. In addition, the content of these sites does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards, policy or endorsement of the Naval Academy or the United States Government.

Comments and suggestions?
URL: http://www.usna.edu/Library/Fp130/Libassign.html
Last updated: 7 September 2007