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Annotated Bibliography

Use this guide to research and write an annotated bibliography.

What is a Research Question?

For your annotated bibliography, you will find sources to help you answer a research question. 

When you conduct research, you are not looking for answers to a simple question. Instead, you will formulate a question that requires you to analyze information and think critically. You also need a question that fits the scope of your assignment. 

You DO NOT want to formulate a question that:

  • can be answered with "yes" or "no." This is not helpful when you're trying to elicit further questions, discussion, or analysis.
  • contains the answer within itself.
  • can be answered with a fact or series of facts.

 

Examples:

  • "What are the gun laws in the state of Maryland?"
  • "What was the total number of gun murders in Maryland in 2010?"

You DO want to formulate a question that:

  • is open-ended.
  • requires analysis of a variety of sources to develop an answer.
  • leads to more questions.
  • provokes discussion.
  • derives from critical and careful reading of your sources.
  • addresses or connects with wider issues.

 

Examples of research questions: 

  • "What is the relationship between gun laws and violent crime?"
  • "Should gun rights be controlled by states or by the federal government?"

Beginning the Research Process

For more information about choosing a topic and beginning the research process, see NC State University Libraries' video tutorials:


Learn more about developing and evaluating your research question from SUNY Empire State College's Online Writing Center: