is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Community Blog

Keep up-to-date on postgraduate related issues with our quick reads written by students, postdocs, professors and industry leaders.

Annotated Bibliography vs Literature Review

Prof M Lambert

  • By Prof M Lambert
  • November 12, 2020

DiscoverPhDs_Annotated_Bibliography_Literature_Review

If you’re undertaking a research project or writing a thesis in the US, be it at undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD level, you may be wondering what the difference between an annotated bibliography and a literature review is.

Both are important sections of a research paper and aim to give context to the sources cited around a particular research problem. A literature review places a stronger emphasis on the importance of the findings of a paper, whilst an annotated bibliography focuses on the quality, validity, and relevance of the source of information itself.

What is a Literature Review?

A literature review summarises the research findings of others in a specific topic (this can be from a range of publications including scholarly journal articles, textbooks, interviews, and magazines), critically appraises their work, and uses this information to develop the research project at hand. The purpose of this section is also to identify any gaps in knowledge that exist in the research topic and how your research project can help address them. The literature review also allows you to question the research carried out, for example: does one author’s argument conflict with another’s?, or are a particular author’s conclusions valid?

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

Firstly, a bibliography is the list of sources referred to in a body of work. You should be familiar with this for any essay you have written – think of the APA style references you normally include. This includes important information about the source such as the author name, document title, date of publication, and page number (if applicable). The exact information differs depending on the source type – for example, a scholarly journal article may require a DOI ( Digital Object Identifier ) to be included in the citation, whilst a website will require a URL. The bibliography has several uses, primarily it serves as a reference point for readers who wish to read further into the statements made in a body of work. It also allows readers to question statements and verify the information provided in the body of work.

An annotated bibliography is a list of sources used in your body of work, which includes a brief summary for each source. These summary annotations evaluate the sources of information with regards to their accuracy and quality and identify any potential reasons for bias. As with a standard bibliography, an annotated bibliography should present sources alphabetically in a list-style format. The source summaries are typically around 150 words, though this can vary depending on the nature of the source.

Annotated Bibliography vs Literature Review – What are the differences?

The literature review is presented in a more conversational tone (essay format), as it looks to relate the findings of the source to the research question under review. In comparison, the annotated bibliography is much more structured and factual. It may evaluate sources that only have an indirect relevance to the current project.

Another difference is the length. As mentioned earlier, the annotation summaries are around 150 words per source. The literature review, on the other hand, is typically somewhere between 6,000 – 12,000 words. This reinforces the fact that the annotated bibliography is a concise assessment of the source, whilst the literature review is a comprehensive appraisal of the current knowledge and contributions around a particular topic. For example, the annotated bibliography may comment on a research paper which conducted a similar study and note information such as the scale of the experiments, how they were conducted, and which parameters were controlled. In the literature review this same source of information may be discussed further: what were the limitations of this type of experiment, how does the methodology compare to other studies, do the findings support your argument, and was the scale big enough to draw valid conclusions.

Students preparing a dissertation or thesis should use their annotation summaries to help develop their literary review. This can be done by using the information provided in the bibliography as a reference point to help paint the bigger picture in the literature review.

Purpose of Research - What is Research

The purpose of research is to enhance society by advancing knowledge through developing scientific theories, concepts and ideas – find out more on what this involves.

Rationale for Research

The term rationale of research means the reason for performing the research study in question.

What is a Monotonic Relationship?

The term monotonic relationship is a statistical definition that is used to describe the link between two variables.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Browse PhDs Now

What is the Thurstone Scale?

The Thurstone Scale is used to quantify the attitudes of people being surveyed, using a format of ‘agree-disagree’ statements.

Body Language for PhD Interviews

You’ve impressed the supervisor with your PhD application, now it’s time to ace your interview with these powerful body language tips.

DiscoverPhDs_Helena_Bates_Profile Image

Helena is a final year PhD student at the Natural History Museum in London and the University of Oxford. Her research is on understanding the evolution of asteroids through analysis of meteorites.

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Rakhi is a PhD student at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India. Her research is on the production of Borneol and Menthol and development of separation process from the reaction mixture.

Join Thousands of Students

Banner

Annotated Bibliography: Annotated Bibliography vs. Literature Review

  • Research Help
  • Example of MLA Annotated Bibliography
  • Citation Help
  • Annotated Bibliography vs. Literature Review

Literature Review vs. Annotated Bibliography

The purpose of a literature review is to provide an overview of existing academic literature on a specific topic and an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s arguments. You are summarizing what research is available on a certain topic and then drawing conclusions about the topic.

An annotated bibliography is a list of resources that you have gathered on a topic that includes an annotation following the reference.  Like a References list, annotated bibliographies gather all resources discovered in the research process in one document. Each citation in the bibliography is followed by an annotation, a summary of that source.

An annotated bibliography is different from a literature review because it serves a different purpose. Annotated bibliographies focus on sources gathered for a specific research project. A literature review attempts to take a comprehensive approach to evaluate all of the research available on a particular question or a topic to create the foundation for a research paper. This review is often incorporated at the beginning of a research paper in its own section but it may also form the thesis for the paper.

Or as the University of North Alabama puts it " An annotated bibliography examines each source based on its relationship to the topic; a literature review draws together multiple sources to examine where they agree or disagree ."

Comparison Chart

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Literature Review Example

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

  • << Previous: Citation Help
  • Last Updated: Feb 22, 2024 4:22 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.sctech.edu/annotatedbib

📕 Studying HQ

Understanding literature review vs annotated bibliography, bob cardens.

  • November 30, 2023
  • How to Guides

A literature review is kind of like an annotated bibliography because they both involve summarizing research about a specific topic. Because of this similarity, some students mix up these two different parts of a research paper. If you’re one of those students who gets them mixed up, don’t worry!

In this article, you’ll find out the main differences between a literature review and an annotated bibliography. Understanding these differences will clear up any confusion you might have about them.

Let’s dive in.

What You'll Learn

What Is an Annotated Bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is a valuable research tool that provides a list of sources along with concise annotations . These annotations offer a brief summary or analysis of the sources, highlighting their relevance and quality .

Annotations typically consist of a 150-250 word description or interpretation, allowing readers to quickly assess the value of each source. By including annotations, the annotated bibliography helps researchers delve deeper into the topic and gather information for their own research.

Annotated bibliographies play a vital role in academic writing by not only providing information for readers but also aiding writers in developing their thesis. Through the process of critically evaluating sources and creating annotations, students gain a better understanding of their subject matter.

They can assess the strengths and weaknesses of each source, identify key arguments, and make connections between different works. This comprehensive evaluation allows writers to present a well-rounded analysis in their own research and support their arguments effectively.

“An annotated bibliography is a valuable research tool that provides a list of sources along with concise annotations.”

When creating an annotated bibliography , it is important to remember that the quality of the annotations is just as important as the selection of sources. The descriptions or interpretations should be clear, concise, and focused on the main ideas of each source.

It’s also crucial to consider the relevance of the sources to your research topic and to evaluate their credibility . By including annotations that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each source, the annotated bibliography serves as a guide for readers and a resource for researchers.

How to Write an Annotated Bibliography Step-by-Step

When writing an annotated bibliography, it is important to follow a step-by-step process to ensure that your annotations are informative, well-structured, and relevant. Here are the key steps to consider:

  • Analysis of Sources: Begin by analyzing the sources you have collected for your bibliography. Evaluate the author’s qualifications , the credibility of the source, and consider the intended audience . Look for any errors or biases that may impact the reliability of the information.
  • Evaluating Sources: Once you have analyzed the sources, evaluate their relevance and quality. Consider how each source contributes to your research topic and assess its significance. This critical analysis will help you determine which sources to include in your annotated bibliography.
  • Writing Descriptive Annotations: When creating annotations, you can choose between different types, including descriptive, summary, or evaluation annotations . Descriptive annotations provide a quick summary of the source, highlighting the key points and main arguments.
  • Writing Summary Annotations: Summary annotations go beyond a simple summary and provide a more detailed overview of the source. They highlight the main points, arguments, and findings, offering a comprehensive understanding of the source.
  • Writing Evaluation Annotations: Evaluation annotations involve a critical analysis of the source. Here, you assess the reliability, bias , and credibility of the information presented. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the source and determine its relevance to your research.
  • Choosing Writing Styles: It is important to use the appropriate writing style for your annotations. Depending on the length and complexity of the source, you can use short phrases, sentences, or even paragraphs to convey your analysis effectively.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your annotated bibliography provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of the sources, supporting your research and enhancing your understanding of the topic.

Remember, an annotated bibliography is not just a list of sources. It is an opportunity to engage with the materials, critically analyze them, and demonstrate your understanding of their relevance to your research. Take the time to carefully evaluate and write informative annotations that provide valuable insights into the sources you have chosen.

Related Article: Difference Between a Literature Review and an Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography Examples

When creating an annotated bibliography , there are different types of annotations and writing styles that can be used. Examples of annotated bibliographies can help illustrate these variations and provide guidance on how to effectively structure and format your own annotations. Below are three types of annotations commonly used in annotated bibliographies:

1. Indicative Annotations

Indicative annotations provide a brief summary of the source without going into too much detail. They give the reader a general idea of the content and focus of the source, helping them determine its relevance to their research. Here’s an example of an indicative annotation:

“This article explores the impact of climate change on biodiversity in coastal ecosystems. It discusses the various factors contributing to biodiversity loss, such as rising sea levels, habitat degradation, and pollution. The author also suggests potential conservation strategies to mitigate the negative effects of climate change on coastal biodiversity.”

2. Informative Annotations

Informative annotations provide a more detailed overview of the source, summarizing its main arguments, methodologies, and key findings. They offer a deeper understanding of the source’s content and help the reader assess its relevance and reliability. Here’s an example of an informative annotation:

“In this book, the author examines the role of social media in shaping political discourse and public opinion. The study analyzes the impact of platforms like Twitter and Facebook on political campaigns, discussing their potential to both facilitate democratic participation and spread misinformation. The author uses case studies and empirical evidence to support their arguments, providing valuable insights into the complex relationship between technology and politics.”

3. Evaluation Annotations

Evaluation annotations not only summarize the source but also critically assess its strengths, weaknesses, and overall quality. They provide an evaluation of the source’s reliability, credibility, and bias , helping the reader make informed decisions about its use in their research. Here’s an example of an evaluation annotation:

“This research article presents a novel approach to renewable energy generation using solar panels integrated into building facades. The study includes an in-depth analysis of the energy output, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of the proposed system. While the findings are promising, the author acknowledges certain limitations, such as the need for further testing and optimization. Overall, this article offers valuable insights into the potential of building-integrated solar panels as a sustainable energy solution.”

Remember to follow the appropriate citation style, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, when formatting your annotated bibliography. Each annotation should be concise, informative, and relevant to your research topic, providing the reader with a clear understanding of the source’s content and its significance to your study.

What Is a Literature Review?

In the research process , a literature review plays a vital role in reviewing and tying together existing research on a specific topic. Unlike an annotated bibliography, a literature review goes beyond summarizing individual sources and focuses on analyzing and synthesizing the findings and theories of multiple studies.

By thoroughly examining the existing research, a literature review provides a comprehensive understanding of the current knowledge base and identifies any gaps in the literature.

A well-written literature review serves as the foundation for further research and thesis development . It not only defines the main ideas and concepts related to the topic but also helps in formulating the research methodology .

Through the synthesis of relevant literature, a literature review offers insights into the implications and potential directions for future research. By critically evaluating and analyzing existing studies, researchers can contribute to the knowledge base and advance understanding in their field.

Literature Review Key Points:

  • A literature review reviews and ties together existing research.
  • It goes beyond summarizing individual sources.
  • A literature review identifies gaps in the existing literature.
  • It lays the foundation for further research and thesis development .
  • A literature review offers insights into implications and directions for future research.

Difference Between Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography

In the realm of academic research, two common tools used to analyze sources are literature reviews and annotated bibliographies. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are distinct differences between the two. Understanding these variances can help researchers effectively employ each method to enhance their study.

A literature review is a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of existing research on a specific topic. Its purpose is to examine the scope , depth , and relevance of the current body of knowledge. By delving into various studies and theories, a literature review not only identifies gaps in the research but also provides a foundation for thesis development . It goes beyond summarizing sources and explores methodologies, implications, and potential directions for future inquiry.

An annotated bibliography, on the other hand, primarily serves as a list of sources accompanied by brief summaries or evaluations known as annotations. While it also involves analyzing sources, its focus is on providing a resource for assessing the relevance and quality of the materials. An annotated bibliography is useful for researchers to quickly evaluate sources, but it does not offer the same depth of analysis and synthesis as a literature review.

Table: Comparison between Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography

In summary, while both literature reviews and annotated bibliographies involve source analysis, they serve different purposes and have distinct approaches. A literature review offers a comprehensive analysis of existing research, while an annotated bibliography provides a resource for evaluating sources . Understanding these differences is crucial for researchers to effectively utilize these tools in their academic endeavors.

Methods of Conducting a Literature Review and Creating an Annotated Bibliography

When conducting a literature review , there are several methods that can be employed to ensure a thorough and comprehensive analysis of existing research . The process starts with searching for relevant sources, using databases, academic journals, and other reputable scholarly sources to gather a wide range of studies and articles.

Once the sources are collected, the next step is to evaluate their relevance and quality. This involves assessing the author’s qualifications , the credibility of the publication or journal, and the intended audience . By critically evaluating the sources, researchers can ensure that they are using reliable and trustworthy information for their literature review.

After evaluating the sources, the next step is to select the most appropriate ones for inclusion in the literature review. This means choosing sources that are directly relevant to the research question or topic at hand. Once the sources are selected, they need to be organized in a coherent manner. This can be done by categorizing the sources based on their main themes or topics, allowing for a structured and logical presentation of the literature review.

Analyzing and synthesizing the information gathered from the sources is a crucial step in conducting a literature review . This involves critically evaluating the findings and theories presented in the research and identifying common themes or trends.

By synthesizing the existing research, researchers can provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge base and identify any gaps or areas for further investigation. The literature review should also highlight the implications of the findings and suggest directions for future research.

In conclusion, the literature review and annotated bibliography are essential components of the research process . While both involve analysis and synthesis, they serve different purposes in academic writing.

The literature review provides a comprehensive analysis of existing research on a specific topic, helping to identify gaps and contribute to the knowledge base. On the other hand, the annotated bibliography serves as a list of sources with brief summaries or evaluations, allowing readers to assess the relevance and quality of the sources.

By understanding the differences between these two tools and utilizing them effectively, researchers can enhance their understanding of a topic, develop their thesis, and contribute to the existing knowledge base. Both the literature review and annotated bibliography are valuable resources that can strengthen the research and writing process.

For more guidance and inspiration, StudyingHq.com offers a free Essays and Papers Database with thousands of essay examples, samples, guides, topics, and research papers. Additionally, if you need writing help within a short timeframe, you can rely on expert writers who can provide assistance in 2-3 hours.

What is the difference between a literature review and an annotated bibliography?

A literature review is a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of existing research on a specific topic, while an annotated bibliography is a list of sources with brief summaries or evaluations.

What is the purpose of an annotated bibliography?

The purpose of an annotated bibliography is to provide information for the reader and help the writer delve deeper into the topic by critically evaluating the sources and creating annotations.

How do you write an annotated bibliography?

Writing an annotated bibliography involves analyzing sources, evaluating their credibility, and creating annotations that can be descriptive, summary, or evaluation-based.

What are the different types of annotations in an annotated bibliography?

The different types of annotations in an annotated bibliography include  indicative annotations ,  informative annotations , and evaluation annotations, which provide different levels of summary and analysis.

What is the purpose of a literature review?

The purpose of a literature review is to  review and tie together  the findings and theories of various studies on a specific topic, demonstrating their importance and relevance and identifying gaps in the existing literature.

How do you conduct a literature review?

Conducting a literature review involves searching for relevant sources, evaluating their quality,  selecting  the most appropriate ones, and  organizing  and analyzing the information to provide a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of existing research.

What are the similarities between a literature review and an annotated bibliography?

Both involve evaluating and analyzing sources, gathering information on a topic, and organizing and synthesizing the findings. They are both tools used in the research and writing process.

How can literature reviews and annotated bibliographies enhance the research process?

By utilizing both tools effectively, researchers can enhance their understanding of a topic, identify research gaps, and contribute to the existing knowledge base.

Source Links

  • https://www.bibliography.com/examples/annotated-bibliography-writing-guide-with-examples/
  • https://edtechbooks.org/rapidwriting/lit_rev_intro
  • https://open.byu.edu/rapidwriting/lit_rev_intro

Start by filling this short order form order.studyinghq.com

And then follow the progressive flow. 

Having an issue, chat with us here

Cathy, CS. 

New Concept ? Let a subject expert write your paper for You​

Have a subject expert write for you now, have a subject expert finish your paper for you, edit my paper for me, have an expert write your dissertation's chapter, popular topics.

Business StudyingHq Essay Topics and Ideas How to Guides Samples

  • Nursing Solutions
  • Study Guides
  • Free Study Database for Essays
  • Privacy Policy
  • Writing Service 
  • Discounts / Offers 

Study Hub: 

  • Studying Blog
  • Topic Ideas 
  • Business Studying 
  • Nursing Studying 
  • Literature and English Studying

Writing Tools  

  • Citation Generator
  • Topic Generator
  • Paraphrasing Tool
  • Conclusion Maker
  • Research Title Generator
  • Thesis Statement Generator
  • Summarizing Tool
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Confidentiality Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Refund and Revision Policy

Our samples and other types of content are meant for research and reference purposes only. We are strongly against plagiarism and academic dishonesty. 

Contact Us:

📧 [email protected]

📞 +15512677917

2012-2024 © studyinghq.com. All rights reserved

Research Methods at SCS

  • Basic Strategies

Literature Reviews

Annotated bibliographies, writing the literature review, matrix for organizing sources for literature reviews / annotated bibliographies, sample literature reviews.

  • Qualitative & Quantitative Methods
  • Case Studies, Interviews & Focus Groups
  • White Papers

A literature review is a synthesis of published information on a particular research topics. The purpose is to map out what is already known about a certain subject, outline methods previously used, prevent duplication of research, and, along these lines, reveal gaps in existing literature to justify the research project.

Unlike an annotated bibliography, a literature review is thus organized around ideas/concepts, not the individual sources themselves. Each of its paragraphs stakes out a position identifying related themes/issues, research design, and conclusions in existing literature.

An annotated bibliography  is a bibliography that gives a summary of each article or book. The purpose of annotations is to provide the reader with a summary and an evaluation of the source. Each summary should be a concise exposition of the source's central idea(s) and give the reader a general idea of the source's content.

The purpose of an annotated bibliography is to:

  • review the literature of a particular subject;
  • demonstrate the quality and depth of reading that you have done;
  • exemplify the scope of sources available—such as journals, books, websites and magazine articles;
  • highlight sources that may be of interest to other readers and researchers;
  • explore and organize sources for further research.

Further Reading:

  • Annotated Bibliographies (Purdue OWL)
  • How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography (Cornell University)

" Literature Reviews: An Overview for Graduate Students " 2009. NC State University Libraries

Review the following websites for tips on writing a literature review:

Literature Reviews. The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Write a Literature Review: Virginia Commonwealth University. 

  • Matrix for Organizing Sources

Levac, J., Toal-Sullivan, D., & O`Sullivan, T. (2012). Household Emergency Preparedness: A Literature Review.  Journal Of Community Health ,  37 (3), 725-733. doi:10.1007/s10900-011-9488-x

Geale, S. K. (2012). The ethics of disaster management.  Disaster Prevention and Management,  21 (4), 445-462. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09653561211256152

Cover Art

  • << Previous: Basic Strategies
  • Next: Qualitative & Quantitative Methods >>
  • Last Updated: Jan 26, 2024 10:52 AM
  • URL: https://guides.library.georgetown.edu/research

Creative Commons

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Annotated Bibliographies and Literature Reviews

  • Organizing and Managing your Resources
  • Define Your Research Question
  • Search The Literature

What is an Annotated Bibliography

What is a Literature Review - video

Michelle Early

Profile Photo

Difference Between a Literature Review and an Annotated Bibliography

Literature review.

A literature review should not be confused with an annotated bibliography. A literature review is not simply a summary of information you have found on a topic. Literature reviews are more in depth and provides analysis of multiple works relating to a research question. An annotated bibliography is a list of the resources, that you consulted when working on a research project. Each citation is accompanied by a brief written analysis of its usefulness to your research.

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Courtesy of Washington University Library

“Library Guides: Annotated Bibliographies: Overview.” Overview - Annotated Bibliographies - Library Guides at University of Washington Libraries , guides.lib.uw.edu/tacoma/annotated.

Purdue Owl Annotated Bibliographies

Purdue owl annotated bibliography information, annotated bibliography breakdown, stem cell research: an annotated bibliography.

Holland, Suzanne. The Human Embryonic Stem Cell Debate: Science, Ethics, and Public Policy . Boston: MIT P, 2001.

This is the annotation of the above source, which is formatted according to MLA 2016 (8 th ed.) guidelines for the bibliographic information listed above. If one were really writing an annotation for this source, one would offer a brief summary of what this book says about stem cell research.

After a brief summary, it would be appropriate to assess this source and offer some criticisms of it. Does it seem like a reliable and current source? Why? Is the research biased or objective? Are the facts well documented? Who is the author? Is she qualified in this subject? Is this source scholarly, popular, some of both?

The length of your annotation will depend on the assignment or on the purpose of your annotated bibliography. After summarizing and assessing, you can now reflect on this source. How does it fit into your research? Is this a helpful resource? Too scholarly? Not scholarly enough? Too general/specific? Since "stem cell research" is a very broad topic, has this source helped you to narrow your topic?

Senior, K. "Extending the Ethical Boundaries of Stem Cell Research." Trends in Molecular Medicine , vol. 7, 2001, pp. 5-6.

Not all annotations have to be the same length. For example, this source is a very short scholarly article. It may only take a sentence or two to summarize. Even if you are using a book, you should only focus on the sections that relate to your topic.

Not all annotated bibliographies assess and reflect; some merely summarize. That may not be the most helpful for you, but, if this is an assignment, you should always ask your instructor for specific guidelines.

Wallace, Kelly. "Bush Stands Pat on Stem Cell Policy." CNN . 13 Aug. 2001.

Using a variety of sources can help give you a broader picture of what is being said about your topic. You may want to investigate how scholarly sources are treating this topic differently than more popular sources. But again, if your assignment is to only use scholarly sources, then you will probably want to avoid magazines and popular web sites.

  • Next: Organizing and Managing your Resources >>
  • Last Updated: Feb 20, 2024 2:20 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.xavier.edu/Bib_lit

Charles Sturt University

Literature Review: Annotated bibliography

  • Traditional or narrative literature reviews
  • Scoping Reviews
  • Systematic literature reviews

Annotated bibliography

  • Keeping up to date with literature
  • Finding a thesis
  • Evaluating sources and critical appraisal of literature
  • Managing and analysing your literature
  • Further reading and resources

Creating an annotated bibliography part 1

Creating an annotated bibliography part 2

An annotated bibliography is a bibliography where references are given annotations or notes. There are generally four types of annotations - 

  • Descriptive annotations that describe the work
  • Summary annotations that provide a summary of the key points of a particular work
  • Critical annotations which evaluate where the work fits or doesn't fit within your research topic
  • Combined annotations which use all or some of the above styles.

Depending on your assignment you may be asked to reflect, summarise, critique, evaluate or analyse the source. You may be asked to find a specific number of items to include in the annotated bibliography. These items are most commonly refereed or peer reviewed journal articles but can include book chapters, books, conference papers and other information sources.  You may be asked to write an annotated bibliography as a stand alone assignment or as a component of a larger project. 

Questions to consider

You need to consider carefully the texts that you select for your annotated bibliography. Keep the following questions in mind to help clarify your choices.

  • What topic/ problem am I investigating?
  • What question(s) am I exploring? Identify the aim of your literature research.
  • What kind of material am I looking at and why? Am I looking for journal articles, reports, policies or primary historical data?
  • Am I being judicious in my selection of texts? Does each text relate to my research topic and assignment requirements?

What are the essential or key texts on my topic? Am I finding them? Are the sources valuable or often referred to in other texts?

Which writing style should I use in the annotations?

  • Each annotation should be concise. Do not write too much—remember, you are writing a summary, not an essay. Annotations should not extend beyond one paragraph unless otherwise stipulated in your assignment guidelines. As this is not an extended piece of writing, only mention significant and relevant details.
  • Any information apparent in the title of the text or journal can be omitted from the annotation.
  • Background materials and references to previous work by the same author usually are not included. As you are addressing one text at a time, there is no need to cross reference or use in-text citations to support your annotation.
  • Unless otherwise stipulated, you should write in full sentences using academic vocabulary.

Further Reading : University Of New South Wales Annotated Bibliography

EndNote for Annotated Bibliographies

Using endnote to create an annotated list..

Step 1. Create an EndNote group for your annotated bibliography references.

Step 2. Creating your Annotated list in a Word document.

  • Select the references that you want to use, by either selecting the whole group or select multiple references using the Ctrl key for Windows, or Command key if using a Mac.
  • Use the Copy formatted shortcut, Ctrl k to copy these to your clipboard.

Step 3. Paste the results to your Word document.

  • You can insert your annotations below each reference to create your annotated Bibliography.

Note: The references below do not show the required indent for APA 7th, due to this guide's settings.

Bay, U. (2013). Transition town initiatives promoting transformational community change in tackling peak oil and climate change challenges.  Australian Social Work, 66 (2), 171-186. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2013.78120

This paper focuses on quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?

Beaumont, E., Chester, P., & Rideout, H. (2017). Navigating ethical challenges in social media: Social work student and practitioner perspectives.  Australian Social Work, 70 (2), 221-228. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2016.1274416

This gives and interesting perspective of ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?

Beddoe, L. (2010). Social work and power.  Australian Social Work, 63 (3), 361-362. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2010.500650

The author presents a case where quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?

  • << Previous: Systematic literature reviews
  • Next: Developing a search strategy >>
  • Last Updated: Apr 10, 2024 5:05 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.csu.edu.au/review

Acknowledgement of Country

Charles Sturt University is an Australian University, TEQSA Provider Identification: PRV12018. CRICOS Provider: 00005F.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

  • Knowledge Base

Methodology

  • How to Write a Literature Review | Guide, Examples, & Templates

How to Write a Literature Review | Guide, Examples, & Templates

Published on January 2, 2023 by Shona McCombes . Revised on September 11, 2023.

What is a literature review? A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources on a specific topic. It provides an overview of current knowledge, allowing you to identify relevant theories, methods, and gaps in the existing research that you can later apply to your paper, thesis, or dissertation topic .

There are five key steps to writing a literature review:

  • Search for relevant literature
  • Evaluate sources
  • Identify themes, debates, and gaps
  • Outline the structure
  • Write your literature review

A good literature review doesn’t just summarize sources—it analyzes, synthesizes , and critically evaluates to give a clear picture of the state of knowledge on the subject.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

upload-your-document-ai-proofreader

Table of contents

What is the purpose of a literature review, examples of literature reviews, step 1 – search for relevant literature, step 2 – evaluate and select sources, step 3 – identify themes, debates, and gaps, step 4 – outline your literature review’s structure, step 5 – write your literature review, free lecture slides, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions, introduction.

  • Quick Run-through
  • Step 1 & 2

When you write a thesis , dissertation , or research paper , you will likely have to conduct a literature review to situate your research within existing knowledge. The literature review gives you a chance to:

  • Demonstrate your familiarity with the topic and its scholarly context
  • Develop a theoretical framework and methodology for your research
  • Position your work in relation to other researchers and theorists
  • Show how your research addresses a gap or contributes to a debate
  • Evaluate the current state of research and demonstrate your knowledge of the scholarly debates around your topic.

Writing literature reviews is a particularly important skill if you want to apply for graduate school or pursue a career in research. We’ve written a step-by-step guide that you can follow below.

Literature review guide

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Writing literature reviews can be quite challenging! A good starting point could be to look at some examples, depending on what kind of literature review you’d like to write.

  • Example literature review #1: “Why Do People Migrate? A Review of the Theoretical Literature” ( Theoretical literature review about the development of economic migration theory from the 1950s to today.)
  • Example literature review #2: “Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines” ( Methodological literature review about interdisciplinary knowledge acquisition and production.)
  • Example literature review #3: “The Use of Technology in English Language Learning: A Literature Review” ( Thematic literature review about the effects of technology on language acquisition.)
  • Example literature review #4: “Learners’ Listening Comprehension Difficulties in English Language Learning: A Literature Review” ( Chronological literature review about how the concept of listening skills has changed over time.)

You can also check out our templates with literature review examples and sample outlines at the links below.

Download Word doc Download Google doc

Before you begin searching for literature, you need a clearly defined topic .

If you are writing the literature review section of a dissertation or research paper, you will search for literature related to your research problem and questions .

Make a list of keywords

Start by creating a list of keywords related to your research question. Include each of the key concepts or variables you’re interested in, and list any synonyms and related terms. You can add to this list as you discover new keywords in the process of your literature search.

  • Social media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok
  • Body image, self-perception, self-esteem, mental health
  • Generation Z, teenagers, adolescents, youth

Search for relevant sources

Use your keywords to begin searching for sources. Some useful databases to search for journals and articles include:

  • Your university’s library catalogue
  • Google Scholar
  • Project Muse (humanities and social sciences)
  • Medline (life sciences and biomedicine)
  • EconLit (economics)
  • Inspec (physics, engineering and computer science)

You can also use boolean operators to help narrow down your search.

Make sure to read the abstract to find out whether an article is relevant to your question. When you find a useful book or article, you can check the bibliography to find other relevant sources.

You likely won’t be able to read absolutely everything that has been written on your topic, so it will be necessary to evaluate which sources are most relevant to your research question.

For each publication, ask yourself:

  • What question or problem is the author addressing?
  • What are the key concepts and how are they defined?
  • What are the key theories, models, and methods?
  • Does the research use established frameworks or take an innovative approach?
  • What are the results and conclusions of the study?
  • How does the publication relate to other literature in the field? Does it confirm, add to, or challenge established knowledge?
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the research?

Make sure the sources you use are credible , and make sure you read any landmark studies and major theories in your field of research.

You can use our template to summarize and evaluate sources you’re thinking about using. Click on either button below to download.

Take notes and cite your sources

As you read, you should also begin the writing process. Take notes that you can later incorporate into the text of your literature review.

It is important to keep track of your sources with citations to avoid plagiarism . It can be helpful to make an annotated bibliography , where you compile full citation information and write a paragraph of summary and analysis for each source. This helps you remember what you read and saves time later in the process.

The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing - try for free!

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Try for free

To begin organizing your literature review’s argument and structure, be sure you understand the connections and relationships between the sources you’ve read. Based on your reading and notes, you can look for:

  • Trends and patterns (in theory, method or results): do certain approaches become more or less popular over time?
  • Themes: what questions or concepts recur across the literature?
  • Debates, conflicts and contradictions: where do sources disagree?
  • Pivotal publications: are there any influential theories or studies that changed the direction of the field?
  • Gaps: what is missing from the literature? Are there weaknesses that need to be addressed?

This step will help you work out the structure of your literature review and (if applicable) show how your own research will contribute to existing knowledge.

  • Most research has focused on young women.
  • There is an increasing interest in the visual aspects of social media.
  • But there is still a lack of robust research on highly visual platforms like Instagram and Snapchat—this is a gap that you could address in your own research.

There are various approaches to organizing the body of a literature review. Depending on the length of your literature review, you can combine several of these strategies (for example, your overall structure might be thematic, but each theme is discussed chronologically).

Chronological

The simplest approach is to trace the development of the topic over time. However, if you choose this strategy, be careful to avoid simply listing and summarizing sources in order.

Try to analyze patterns, turning points and key debates that have shaped the direction of the field. Give your interpretation of how and why certain developments occurred.

If you have found some recurring central themes, you can organize your literature review into subsections that address different aspects of the topic.

For example, if you are reviewing literature about inequalities in migrant health outcomes, key themes might include healthcare policy, language barriers, cultural attitudes, legal status, and economic access.

Methodological

If you draw your sources from different disciplines or fields that use a variety of research methods , you might want to compare the results and conclusions that emerge from different approaches. For example:

  • Look at what results have emerged in qualitative versus quantitative research
  • Discuss how the topic has been approached by empirical versus theoretical scholarship
  • Divide the literature into sociological, historical, and cultural sources

Theoretical

A literature review is often the foundation for a theoretical framework . You can use it to discuss various theories, models, and definitions of key concepts.

You might argue for the relevance of a specific theoretical approach, or combine various theoretical concepts to create a framework for your research.

Like any other academic text , your literature review should have an introduction , a main body, and a conclusion . What you include in each depends on the objective of your literature review.

The introduction should clearly establish the focus and purpose of the literature review.

Depending on the length of your literature review, you might want to divide the body into subsections. You can use a subheading for each theme, time period, or methodological approach.

As you write, you can follow these tips:

  • Summarize and synthesize: give an overview of the main points of each source and combine them into a coherent whole
  • Analyze and interpret: don’t just paraphrase other researchers — add your own interpretations where possible, discussing the significance of findings in relation to the literature as a whole
  • Critically evaluate: mention the strengths and weaknesses of your sources
  • Write in well-structured paragraphs: use transition words and topic sentences to draw connections, comparisons and contrasts

In the conclusion, you should summarize the key findings you have taken from the literature and emphasize their significance.

When you’ve finished writing and revising your literature review, don’t forget to proofread thoroughly before submitting. Not a language expert? Check out Scribbr’s professional proofreading services !

This article has been adapted into lecture slides that you can use to teach your students about writing a literature review.

Scribbr slides are free to use, customize, and distribute for educational purposes.

Open Google Slides Download PowerPoint

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

  • Sampling methods
  • Simple random sampling
  • Stratified sampling
  • Cluster sampling
  • Likert scales
  • Reproducibility

 Statistics

  • Null hypothesis
  • Statistical power
  • Probability distribution
  • Effect size
  • Poisson distribution

Research bias

  • Optimism bias
  • Cognitive bias
  • Implicit bias
  • Hawthorne effect
  • Anchoring bias
  • Explicit bias

A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources (such as books, journal articles, and theses) related to a specific topic or research question .

It is often written as part of a thesis, dissertation , or research paper , in order to situate your work in relation to existing knowledge.

There are several reasons to conduct a literature review at the beginning of a research project:

  • To familiarize yourself with the current state of knowledge on your topic
  • To ensure that you’re not just repeating what others have already done
  • To identify gaps in knowledge and unresolved problems that your research can address
  • To develop your theoretical framework and methodology
  • To provide an overview of the key findings and debates on the topic

Writing the literature review shows your reader how your work relates to existing research and what new insights it will contribute.

The literature review usually comes near the beginning of your thesis or dissertation . After the introduction , it grounds your research in a scholarly field and leads directly to your theoretical framework or methodology .

A literature review is a survey of credible sources on a topic, often used in dissertations , theses, and research papers . Literature reviews give an overview of knowledge on a subject, helping you identify relevant theories and methods, as well as gaps in existing research. Literature reviews are set up similarly to other  academic texts , with an introduction , a main body, and a conclusion .

An  annotated bibliography is a list of  source references that has a short description (called an annotation ) for each of the sources. It is often assigned as part of the research process for a  paper .  

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, September 11). How to Write a Literature Review | Guide, Examples, & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/literature-review/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, what is a theoretical framework | guide to organizing, what is a research methodology | steps & tips, how to write a research proposal | examples & templates, unlimited academic ai-proofreading.

✔ Document error-free in 5minutes ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

Gutman Library

  • Gutman Library
  • Ask Us @ Gutman Library

Q. What is a literature review? Is it the same thing as an annotated bibliography?

  • 1 3-in-1 search
  • 6 Appointments
  • 1 Avoiding Plagiarism
  • 1 Borrow Direct
  • 2 Borrowing
  • 2 Boston Globe
  • 1 Case Studies
  • 2 Check Harvard Library Bookmark
  • 1 Chronicle of Higher Education
  • 1 Communications Lab
  • 1 Contact Us
  • 2 Course evaluations
  • 9 Course Materials
  • 1 Dissertations
  • 1 Distance Services
  • 1 Ed News & Trends
  • 1 Education Week
  • 1 Equipment
  • 1 Financial Times
  • 1 Google Scholar
  • 1 Higher Education
  • 2 Interlibrary Loan
  • 1 K-12 News & Trends
  • 2 Lean Library
  • 1 Lost & Found
  • 1 Marshall Memo
  • 1 Master's Research Guides
  • 1 Network Login
  • 1 New York Times
  • 4 Newspapers
  • 1 Qualifying Papers
  • 1 Quiet Space
  • 2 Research Applications
  • 1 Research Appointments
  • 2 Research Assistants
  • 2 Research Guides
  • 1 Research Librarians
  • 1 Research Methods & Software Appointments
  • 1 Room Reservations
  • 1 Scan & Deliver
  • 2 Services for Faculty
  • 2 Services for Staff
  • 9 Special Collections
  • 2 Statistical Applications
  • 2 Streaming video
  • 1 Tutorials
  • 1 U.S. Education System
  • 1 Wall Street Journal
  • 1 Washington Post
  • 1 Websites for Educators
  • 2 Writing Appointments

Answered By: Ning Zou Last Updated: Mar 11, 2022     Views: 44

An annotated bibliography is a list of books, journals, and other citations typically accompanied by a short summary or evaluation of each source. A literature review summarizes the published material on a topic to address a specific research question and requires synthesizing evidence or critiquing the literature. For more details about this assignment type, check out our resource on literature reviews .

  • Share on Facebook

Was this helpful? Yes 0 No 0

Comments (0)

Related topics.

Gutman librarians are available to answer your questions Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm EST. 

Email : Use our Ask Us form

Drop in on Gutman's 2nd floor:  Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm EST. 

Need more in-depth research help? Make a virtual appointment to work with a research librarian.

To schedule a time, use the Gutman Library Research Appointment tool .

Banner

EDL 7108 Action Research I: Literature Reviews and Annotated Bibliographies

  • Discovery System
  • Search Tips and Tutorials
  • Research Methods
  • Distinguishing Article Type
  • Literature Reviews and Annotated Bibliographies
  • Interlibrary Loan - ILLiad This link opens in a new window
  • APA Citation Help

Literature Reviews: An Overview

Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review Information

  • The Literature Review: A Few Tips On Conducting It Created by Written by Dena Taylor, Health Sciences Writing Centre, University of Toronto.
  • Conducting Literature Reviews - University of North Carolina
  • Creating Annotated Bibliographies - OWL at Purdue University
  • Annotated Bibliographies - University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
  • Lit review check list
  • Annotated Bibliography Review Chapter 7 - Section 2>> Annotated Bibliographies.

The Literature Review

According to Hart (1998), “A literature review is an objective, thorough summary and critical analysis of the relevant available research and non-research literature on the topic being studied” (as cited in Cronin, Ryan & Coughlan 2008).

The Literature Review Process

  • Selecting a review topic
  • Searching the literature
  • Gathering, reading and analyzing the literature
  • Writing the review

Lit Review Process

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Types of Literature Reviews

  • Systematic literature review

Implemented in response to specific questions about clinical practice; designation of criteria for including/excluding literature is important part of this type of review.

Purpose : aims at producing an inclusive list of the entire literature on a topic; set apart the literature on a topic based on predefined criteria; assess and synthesize these sources

  • Traditional or narrative review

Summarizes, synthesizes and discusses literature on chosen topic; selective with regard to sources included.

Purpose : to give a comprehensive overview of the literature in a chosen area; to identify gaps in existing research; to develop conceptual framework; to refine research topic/question

(Cronin et al. 2008, 38)

Questions your lit review should answer

  • Why is this subject important?
  • Who else thinks it is important?
  • Who has worked on this subject before?
  • Who has done something similar to what I am doing?
  • What can be adapted to my own study?
  • What are the gaps in the research?
  • Who is going to use my material?
  • What use will my project be?
  • What will my contribution be?
  • What specific question will I answer?
  • What specific questions will my research not be able to address?

(Murray 2006:115)

  • << Previous: Distinguishing Article Type
  • Next: Interlibrary Loan - ILLiad >>
  • Last Updated: Mar 26, 2024 10:07 AM
  • Guide URL: https://libguides.wilmu.edu/EDL7108

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

  • WESTCHESTER CAMPUS
  • Social Media Center
  • Directories

ENG 201: Research Introduction, Annotated Bibliography & Literature Review (PLV)

  • Research Introduction

Annotated Bibliographies & Literature Reviews

Writing an annotated bibliography, why do we write literature reviews, what are scholarly journals & peer review.

  • Strategic Searching
  • Locating Sources Online & At Pace
  • Citing Your Sources

Puzzle pieces coming together and being held by two hands

How are annotated bibliographies and literature reviews related? 

Annotated bibliographies collect sources and present citations along with a summary and analysis that connects the information to your research question. In a literature review , the author synthesizes multiple sources together to present the major themes, arguments and theories around a topic. 

Therefore, an annotated bibliography can provide an opportunity to review and analyze individual sources before o rganizing them around common denominators found across sources. 

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Creating an annotated bibliography: 

  • Review your assignment to determine how your professor would like your annotated bibliography to look.
  • Search ! The "Strategic Searching" and "Locating Sources Online & At Pace" pages on this guide for assistance in locating potential sources. 
  • Create the citations for your sources. 
  • Write a paragraph for each citation summarizing, analyzing and determining the relevance of that source to your paper.                                                                       Icon by freepik

Examples: 

  • University of Wisconsin: Annotated Bibliographies Research Guide This Research Guide page walks through the step by step process of creating an annotated bibliography.
  • Rasmussen College: Annotated Bibliography Research Guide Watch the video and see an example of an annotated bibliography.

Two questions at the top: How does gender bias in the US healthcare system affect women as patients and their health outcomes? and How do social media algorithms impact the increase in extremest rhetoric in America? Ask a question that has a complex answer not answerable with a Googles search

Literature reviews serve a purpose in research by: 

  • Showing the writer's understanding of their topic area including key concepts, terminology, theories and definitions
  • Identifying what research has been done in that area
  • Finding gaps in the research or current areas of interest to help the writer tweak their own research question, if needed
  • Identifying main areas of agreement, disagreement or controversy within the topic area
  • Convincing the reader that your research question is significant, important and interesting

You are writing a MAP to the scholarly conversation on your topic.

  • Planning and Creating a Literature Review Video Tips for searching, analyzing, and organizing sources for your literature review.

For your Literature Review you will summarize, evaluate, and synthesize, existing scholarship related to your research question. This "scholarship" is found in academic, scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. These differ from magazines and articles written for the general public because scholarly journals are written for researchers and experts in the discipline area. 

Image of a scholarly article with individual parts labeled

Click the link below titled, "Anatomy of a Scholarly Journal Article" to view an  interactive journal article and review what each section means.

You may need a few peer reviewed sources for your literature review. But what does that mean?

Peer-reviewed and refereed publications  include articles that are read and approved by an editor and one or more experts in that field to confirm accuracy of information and the contribution of that information to the scholarly conversation. 

  • Anatomy of a Scholarly Journal Article Click to explore what makes up a "scholarly journal article." From the North Carolina State University Library.
  • How to Read a Scholarly Article A visual demonstration, from Western Libraries.
  • Example of a Scholarly Article
  • Example #2 of a Scholarly Journal
  • << Previous: Research Introduction
  • Next: Strategic Searching >>
  • Last Updated: Feb 20, 2024 3:45 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.pace.edu/eng201
  • © Pace University
  • Work at Pace
  • Privacy Policy

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Writing 10: College Reading and Composition (49-Downey)

  • Pre-Activities
  • 4/9/24 In-Person Session Info
  • An Overview of the Process
  • Keywords - Poll Questions
  • Information Privilege
  • Database Searching
  • Final Search Tip
  • 4. Read & Evaluate
  • Citing Your Sources
  • Annotated bibliographies

What is an annotated bibliography?

Annotated bibliography as precursor to the literature review.

  • Tech & More Help
  • Your Feedback

Put simply, an annotated bibliography is a list of citations for resources and materials consulted for a research project. The resource is cited, and the citation is accompanied by a brief description, or annotation , of the resource. The description may also include a very short analysis or evaluation of the resource in question, stating the resource's validity, authority, and quality. As such, annotated bibliographies generally lend a critical or analytical aspect to a research project.

Examples of annotated bibliographies:

The OWL at Purdue: Annotated bibliography examples

EasyBib: Annotated Bibliography Format & Examples

As a list of sources and materials, the annotated bibliography lays out resources consulted in the formation of an argument or thesis. It doesn't actually make the argument itself, or offer an overview or understanding of a particular subject or topic. That's the job of the literature review. What's more, the annotated bibliograph looks like a list of citations with paragraphs attached. The literature review is a prose document with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

All the same, the annotated bibliography is a valuable tool in the writing of the literature review, as it describes and briefly evaluates each resource's value and use. A good annotated bibliography entry should include the following:

  • A brief and concise summary of what the resource is about.
  • An examination of the credentials of the author: who she is, what her expertise is, and so forth.
  • A review of the strengths and weaknesses of the resource: what's valuable to the argument you're making, what's detrimental or missing, and so forth.
  • << Previous: Citing Your Sources
  • Next: Tech & More Help >>
  • Last Updated: Apr 9, 2024 4:55 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.ucmerced.edu/wri-010-downey

University of California, Merced

Rasmussen University: FAQS banner

Literature Review vs. Annotated Bibliography vs. Research Paper... What's the difference?

Literature Review

The purpose of a literature review is to provide an overview of existing academic literature on a specific topic and an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s arguments. You are summarizing what research is available on a certain topic and then drawing conclusions about the topic. To make gathering your research easier, be sure to start with a narrow/specific topic and then widen your topic if necessary.

A literature review is helpful when determining what research has already been discovered through academic research and what further research still needs to be done. Are there gaps? Are there opportunities for further research? What is missing from my collection of resources? Are more resources needed?

It is important to note that the conclusions described in the literature you gather may contradict each other completely or in part.  A literature review gives the researcher an overview and understanding of research findings to date on a particular topic or issue.

Annotated Bibliography

An annotated bibliography is a list of resources that you have gathered on a topic that includes an annotation following the reference.  Like a References list, annotated bibliographies gather all resources discovered in the research process in one document. Each citation in the bibliography is followed by an annotation a 5-7 sentence paragraph consisting of a summary, an evaluation, and a reflection of that resource.

An annotated bibliography is different from a literature review because it serves a different purpose. Annotated bibliographies focus on sources gathered for a specific research project. A literature review attempts to take a comprehensive approach to evaluate all of the research available on a particular question or a topic to create the foundation for a research paper. 

For more information, please visit the annotated bibliography page of our APA guide.

Research Paper

A research paper presents a single argument/idea on a topic supported by research that you have gathered. Your own thoughts and opinions will be supported by research that you have gathered on your topic. The resources used in your research paper typically support the argument that you are making.

For more information on writing a research paper, check out our Writing guide .

Generally, either an annotated bibliography or a literature review are written first and set the framework for the final product: your research paper. 

  • Reading and Writing
  • Research and Library
  • General Education & Other
  • Annotated Bibliographies
  • Research Papers
  • Last Updated May 14, 2021
  • Views 38290
  • Answered By Kate Anderson, Librarian

FAQ Actions

  • Share on Facebook

Comments (0)

Hello! We're here to help! Please log in to ask your question.

Need an answer now? Search our FAQs !

How can I find my course textbook?

You can expect a prompt response, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM Central Time (by the next business day on weekends and holidays).

Questions may be answered by a Librarian, Learning Services Coordinator, Instructor, or Tutor. 

Pediaa.Com

Home » Education » Difference Between Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review

Difference Between Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review

Main difference – annotated bibliography vs literature review.

Annotated bibliography and literature review summarize and analyze the information gathered from different sources. The difference between annotated bibliography and literature review lies in the way they present information. An annotated bibliography lists the sources separately, followed by short descriptions. But, literature review analyses all the sources together, examining the relationship between them. In addition, differences can also be observed in purpose, format, and components as well.

This article examines,

1. What is an Annotated Bibliography? – Structure, Components, and Purpose 

2. What is a Literature Review? – Structure, Components, and Purpose 

Difference Between Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review - Comparison Summary

What is an Annotated Bibliography

An annotated bibliography is a bibliography (a list of resources) accompanied by annotations. Annotations are usually short descriptions and critical assessment of each word. The writer will evaluate whether the information from that particular source is relevant to the particular topic and examine the quality of the work. The annotations will contain about 100-200 words. The information about different sources are given separately in an annotated bibliography. The information is listed in alphabetical order. Moreover, each item in the list should use a formal citation style such as APA, MLA or Chicago.

Moreover, annotations may be classified into different types based on their purpose. Informative annotations summarize the source. Evaluative annotations evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the source. The following section is an example of the structure of an annotated bibliography. Here, you can see how different sources are analysed separately. Read more about Annotated Bibliography and how to write it.

What is a Literature Review

A literature review is an evaluative report of information found in the literature related to your selected area of study. It provides an overview of a particular topic or issue by summarizing and explaining the most significant sources in the field. In a literature review, the sources are integrated into paragraphs based on the relevance. Unlike in an annotated bibliography, the sources are not summarized individually. This method helps to establish relationships – similarities and difference – between the literature you have reviewed. In addition, the gaps in the knowledge are highlighted by this presentation of information as a whole. The structure of a literature review is similar to that of an essay or an article. The list of sources is given as a bibliography or reference list at the end of the text.

The following example indicates the structure of a literature review. In this example, you can observe how different sources are analysed to bring out the commonalities or differences. 

Annotated Bibliography: Sources are analyzed separately.

Literature Review: Information from different sources are analyzed together.

Listing Sources

Annotated Bibliography: The source is indicated at the beginning of each section.

Literature Review: The sources are listed at the end of the document, as a bibliography.

Annotated Bibliography: Annotated bibliography comments on the relevance and quality of the information.

Literature Review: Literature review establishes a relationship between different sources and highlights gaps in knowledge.

Annotated Bibliography : Sources are listed alphabetically.

Literature Review: Sources are integrated together according to relevance.

Image Courtesy: Pixaby

' src=

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

​You May Also Like These

  • How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography
  • East Tennessee State University
  • Literature Reviews
  • What is an Annotated Bibliography?
  • Examples of Annotated Bibliographies

Difference between Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review

Although both types of writing involve examining sources, a literature review attempts to correlate the information and draw connections between the sources.

Examples of Literature Reviews

  • Student Example
  • Journal Example

Citation Help

  • MLA Center The Modern Language Association website can help you cite sources in MLA style.
  • APA Style Blog The American Psychology Association can help you cite sources in APA style.
  • Chicago Manual of Style Use this site to help you site sources in Chicago Manual of Style.
  • Purdue's Online Writing Lab (OWL) Purdue's Online Language Writing Lab contains up-to-date information on MLA and APA styles.

What is a Literature Review?

Literature Review - from The Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill

A literature review discusses published information in a particular subject area, and sometimes information in a particular subject area within a certain time period. It usually has an organizational pattern and combines both summary and synthesis. A summary is a recap of the important information of the source, but a synthesis is a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that information. It might give a new interpretation of old material or combine new with old interpretations. Or it might trace the intellectual progression of the field, including major debates.

Organizing a Literature Review

There is not one "standard" for literature reviews but they should include the following:

  • Introduction: Gives a quick idea of the topic of the literature review, such as the central theme or organizational pattern.
  • Body: Contains your discussion of sources and is organized either chronologically, thematically, or methodologically (see below for more information on each).
  • Conclusions/Recommendations: Discuss what you have drawn from reviewing literature so far. Where might the discussion proceed?

Organizing your literature review:

  • Chronological: If your review follows the chronological method, you write about your materials according to when they were published. The oldest date is first and the most recent publication date is last.
  • By publication: Order your sources by publication chronology, then, only if the order demonstrates a more important trend.
  • By trend: A better way to organize sources chronologically is to examine the sources under another trend, such as the history of whaling. Then your review would have subsections according to eras within this period.
  • Thematic: Thematic reviews of literature are organized around a topic or issue, rather than the progression of time. However, progression of time may still be an important factor in a thematic review. For instance, a thematic review of material on sperm whales might examine how they are portrayed as "evil" in cultural documents. The subsections might include how they are personified, how their proportions are exaggerated, and their behaviors misunderstood. A review organized in this manner would shift between time periods within each section according to the point made.
  • Methodological: A methodological approach differs from the two above in that the focusing factor usually does not have to do with the content of the material. Instead, it focuses on the "methods" of the researcher or writer. A methodological scope will influence either the types of documents in the review or the way in which these documents are discussed.
  • << Previous: Examples of Annotated Bibliographies

Call Local Call Toll-Free Text Email Research Help

Call Toll-Free

Things to remember.

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Be Selective

Summarize and Synthesize

Keep Your Own Voice

Use Caution When Paraphrasing

Revise, Revise, Revise

Source: Literature Reviews - The Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill

Things to Clarify

Items to clarify if not in assignment:

  • How many sources should be included?
  • What types of sources should be included? (scholarly articles, books, websites, etc.)
  • Should information be reviewed by a common theme or issue?
  • Should subheadings and background information be provided? (i.e. definitions and/or a history?)
  • Should the review be in chronological or publication order?
  • Last Updated: Aug 14, 2023 10:48 AM
  • URL: https://libraries.etsu.edu/guides/howto/lib101annotatedbibliographies

Bright Writers

Annotated Bibliography vs Literature Review

  • Euphresia Kwamboka
  • March 17, 2022
  • Essay Guides and Topics

Here's What We'll Cover

It can be quite confusing differentiating an annotated bibliography from a literature review . Both of them are important components of any research paper or thesis, they are comprehensive collections of important sources of information used for the write-up. However, they differ from each other based on structure, content, purpose, and length. This article discusses annotated bibliography vs literature review and the common mistakes students make when writing each of them. If you still struggle, or could not find the answers you need in after reading our guide, feel free to contact our reliable research paper tutors.

What Is A Literature Review?

A Literature review is a detailed search and survey on the existing knowledge matter on a certain topic during research or thesis writing. It involves finding out what is already known about a subject matter and systematically presenting this knowledge so that your audience can easily identify with this knowledge. It helps to identify the existing gaps in that topic and how your work will help fill out the gap. 

A literature review comprises four primary objectives:

  • Explores the published knowledge in your chosen study area. 
  • Analyzes all the information obtained and identifies the theories, points of view, and associated limitations. It also unearths the existing gaps the research will help address. 
  • It delivers the summary in a useful manner.

What Is an Annotated Bibliography?

A bibliography is a list that displays all the sources of information you used for your academic writing, be it a research paper or a thesis. Usually done in a stipulated style, including MLA, APA, or Chicago. 

An annotated bibliography is simply a short paragraph that describes a particular citation. It comprises 2 parts: the citation, followed by the annotation. The citation is the source of information cited in any of the styles above. However, the annotation is a short description of the source. It is usually done in a short paragraph of 100 to 300 words. The description may include why you chose that source, strengths or weaknesses, the source’s conclusion, amongst other things. 

Annotated Bibliography is important in research writing because it helps you have a standby list of your cited sources and a short description. You can quickly refer to anyone when the need arises without a thorough search.

Additionally, it provides readers with a readily available list of all the sources and a summary of the contents of those sources.

Annotated Bibliography vs. Literature Review-What Are The Differences?

Even though there are some similarities between the annotated bibliography and the literature review, there are sharp differences. In this section, I’ll take you through the differences between the two. 

An annotated bibliography is a list of all the references you used for your research writing and a summary of the content. It usually consists of the citation written in a particular style and an annotation, a concise paragraph of about 100 to 300 words.

On the other hand, a literature review is a systematic description of the existing knowledge and published works on a particular research topic of interest. It also includes the limitations of the existing works, the gaps, and what your research work will contribute in that regard.

They also differ based on the purpose they serve on a research paper  

The purposes of Annotated Bibliography include:

  • By critically evaluating the literature, It helps you learn more about the research topic. 
  • Summarizes the major issues and arguments in the research topic. 
  • Helps you find the differences in interpretations of the theories on that topic and the various critiques
  • Aids the development of your critical reading and analytical skills by causing a deeper engagement with all the different sources. 

The purposes of the Literature Review include:

  • Gives you the basic knowledge needed for the research topic. 
  • Helps to forestall duplication by giving credit to the researchers.
  • Identifies gaps, open questions, and conflicts in previous research work. 
  • It helps you identify connections between your research work and those of others.
  • It helps to bring out the need for your research

The length of an annotated bibliography varies depending on the number of cited sources. However, each annotation is between 100 to 300 words long. While a literature review length depends on the scale of the research. This can span between a few pages to as many as 20 pages.

 An annotated bibliography consists of a list of all the sources with the corresponding annotations separated from one another and organized alphabetically. Sources are only cited only once while a literature review is in the form of an expository essay topically describing the different sources. Sources can be used more than once.

Writing Process

The writing process of an annotated bibliography involves the following steps:.

  • Literature search involves locating and recording all the sources which could be books, documents, periodicals, and even websites that contain useful information and ideas on your topic.
  • Review and examine – involves reviewing and examining all of the sources of information and then selecting those sources that give you a wide variety of perspectives on the research topic.
  • Cite – involves citing all the sources of information using an appropriate formal style. 
  • Annotation – involves writing a short annotation that summarizes the major concept and scope of the source

The writing process of a literature review comprises the following steps:

  • Problem formulation
  • Literature search – involves searching for suitable sources of information such as articles, books, or websites.
  • Data evaluation – involves evaluating the sources of information to be used. 
  • Analysis and interpretation – involves identifying the gaps and outlining the structure and finally, writing the literature review.

An annotated bibliography and literature review also differ based on context. The annotated bibliography contains a list of references called a citation. The references are cited using a formal style: APA, MLA, or Chicago. It also contains short paragraphs called annotations that summarize the references 

Contrarily, the literature review contains an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Firstly, the introduction usually contains the research question, the importance, and some background information about the research. The body usually contains your summation, commentaries, and evaluations about the sources. The conclusion summarizes all the major concepts in your literature review and also points out the gaps your research intends to fill 

Common Mistakes Students Make In Annotated Bibliography

Essay structure.

One big mistake students make is arranging the citations wrongly which gives rise to a poor essay structure. The citations should be arranged in a particular order. That can either be alphabetically or chronologically. Therefore,if done this way, it makes your work easier and clearer to read and comprehend.

However, many students completely ignore this rule or forget it. Consequently, everything looks scattered and disorganized, which prevents proper focusing.

Take, for instance, you see three citations arranged in alphabetical order. You then assume that you will easily get other people’s work by the ABC method. However, the ensuing citations are then listed according to their date of publication. That makes it impossible to find what you are looking for. Therefore, you should beware of the possible problems that may arise and select an appropriate order.

Incorrect Citation And Referencing

When you carry out academic research, utilize dependable and verifiable data. These can be in the form of surveys, statistics, interviews, and others. You should cite your data correctly.

You should also cite all your sources of information. However, several students don’t know how to cite accurately. Consequently, your readers cannot make complete sense of your citations. Citing your sources incorrectly can cause a lot of complications, including losing all the marks.

The reason why this happens is that students don’t follow the instructions as regards the citation style. There are several styles of referencing, including APA, MLA, Chicago, Vancouver, Harvard, and others. All of them are unique and different from each other even though they may appear to be similar e.g. when referencing a memo . You should take time to learn them and also practice referencing different works. The more you practice, the better you become.

Derisory Content

This mistake is usually due to inadequate research by the students. They are too lazy to carry out in-depth and meticulous research. That leads to a paucity of content which can cause you marks.

Poor Organization

Commonly, instructors ask students are to rewrite their bibliographies because the references are poorly organized. There are many ways of organizing your references. You can organize based on the author, title, date of publication, and subject. So, should organize based on the instructions of your supervisor.

Sometimes, students make the mistake of writing annotations that are too long. Also, most educational institutions don’t allow annotations to exceed a paragraph, and marks are deducted if they make this mistake.

Common Mistakes In Literature Review Writing

Too descriptive.

Your literature review should not just be a mere summary of the works of other researchers but should also contain lapses in their methodology. You should criticize the work constructively, pointing out why you don’t completely agree with their conclusions. It could be that the sample size is insufficient or that measurements are unclear. You should find the gaps not covered by their work and address them.

Lack Of Quality Sources

When writing a literature review, you should make use of not less than ten scholarly sources for every 1,000 words. Your sources must be peer-reviewed sources published recently, usually in the last three years. Additionally, magazines, textbooks, newspapers, and blogs are inappropriate for use as references for literature reviews.

A By-article Structure 

You may be tempted to discuss an article per paragraph on many occasions. You should avoid this as most supervisors will mark you down for this. The correct thing to do is to compare and contrast at least three article findings in every paragraph.

No Link To The Research Question 

Sometimes, the literature review has no connection whatsoever with the research question. That shows a poor research process. Therefore, you should make good use of scholarly sources and analyze them critically. Also, discuss how the findings correlate with your research topic.

Un-grounded Statements

When you’re criticizing the research findings of other researchers, you should watch yourself so that you don’t become judgemental. You should back all your statements with references so that your audience will know that what you’re saying is not a personal opinion.

Is an annotated bibliography the same as a literarture review ?

No, they are not the same. A bibliography is simply the list of all the sources of information utilized for research work. It should include the name of the author, the title of the work, the publisher, the date of publication, and the page number if the source has multiple volumes). A type of bibliography is annotated. 

On the contrary, a Literature Review can be best described as an expository essay, consisting of an introduction, body, and conclusion that provides an overview of the previous research done about a particular topic.

Can you turn an annotated bibliography into a literature review?

Yes, you can convert an annotated bibliography into literature

1. Add a short second paragraph below every annotation. 

2. Then re-organize all the annotations so that they flow with each other and tell a story. That could be chronological(the story begins from the most recent one to the one that’s earliest, or from the earliest one to the one that’s most recent or you can group the stories in terms of how they relate with the sub-theme. Put another way, arrange all the annotations so that they are reasonable and make sense. 

3. Remove the citations that precede each annotation paragraph and the lines that separate them. Put all the references on the reference page and arrange them alphabetically. 

4. Then edit all the paragraphs to flow coherently and make sense, just like a literature review should. 

5. Include an abstract and add the cover page.

Let Us Help You Get Better Grades

Achieve academic success with Bright Writers

Unlocking A+ Essays

Insider Tips Your Professor Won't Share

Don't leave before you grab this deal!!

Get 20% OFF your first order. Professional essays at $10 a page

Do you need better

Let us handle your essays today

  • Library Guides
  • Literature Reviews
  • Writing the Review

Literature Reviews: Writing the Review

Outline of review sections.

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

Your Literature Review should not be a summary and evaluation of each article, one after the other. Your sources should be integrated together to create a narrative on your topic.

Consider the following ways to organize your review:

  • By themes, variables, or issues
  • By varying perspectives regarding a topic of controversy
  • Chronologically, to show how the topic and research have developed over time

Use an outline to organize your sources and ideas in a logical sequence. Identify main points and subpoints, and consider the flow of your review. Outlines can be revised as your ideas develop. They help guide your readers through your ideas and show the hierarchy of your thoughts. What do your readers need to understand first? Where might certain studies fit most naturally? These are the kinds of questions that an outline can clarify.

An example outline for a Literature Review might look like this:

Introduction

  • Background information on the topic & definitions
  • Purpose of the literature review
  • Scope and limitations of the review (what is included /excluded)
  • Historical background 
  • Overview of the existing research on the topic
  • Principle question being asked
  • Organization of the literature into categories or themes
  • Evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of each study
  • Combining the findings from multiple sources to identify patterns and trends
  • Insight into the relationship between your central topic and a larger area of study
  • Development of a new research question or hypothesis
  • Summary of the key points and findings in the literature
  • Discussion of gaps in the existing knowledge
  • Implications for future research

Strategies for Writing

Annotated bibliography.

An annotated bibliography collects short descriptions of each source in one place. After you have read each source carefully, set aside some time to write a brief summary. Your summary might be simply informative (e.g. identify the main argument/hypothesis, methods, major findings, and/or conclusions), or it might be evaluative (e.g. state why the source is interesting or useful for your review, or why it is not).

This method is more narrative than the Literature Matrix talked about on the Documenting Your Search page.

Taking the time to write short informative and/or evaluative summaries of your sources while you are researching can help you transition into the drafting stage later on. By making a record of your sources’ contents and your reactions to them, you make it less likely that you will need to go back and re-read many sources while drafting, and you might also start to gain a clearer idea of the overarching shape of your review.

READ EXTANT LIT REVIEWS CLOSELY

As you conduct your research, you will likely read many sources that model the same kind of literature review that you are researching and writing. While your original intent in reading those sources is likely to learn from the studies’ content (e.g. their results and discussion), it will benefit you to re-read these articles rhetorically.

Reading rhetorically means paying attention to how a text is written—how it has been structured, how it presents its claims and analyses, how it employs transitional words and phrases to move from one idea to the next. You might also pay attention to an author’s stylistic choices, like the use of first-person pronouns, active and passive voice, or technical terminology.

See  Finding Example Literature Reviews on the Developing a Research Question page for tips on finding reviews relevant to your topic.

MIND-MAPPING

Creating a mind-map is a form of brainstorming that lets you visualize how your ideas function and relate. Draw the diagram freehand or download software that lets you easily manipulate and group text, images, and shapes ( Coggle ,  FreeMind , MindMaple ).

Write down a central idea, then identify associated concepts, features, or questions around that idea. Make lines attaching various ideas, or arrows to signify directional relationships. Use different shapes, sizes, or colors to indicate commonalities, sequences, or relative importance.

is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

This drafting technique allows you to generate ideas while thinking visually about how they function together. As you follow lines of thought, you can see which ideas can be connected, where certain pathways lead, and what the scope of your project might be. By drawing out a mind-map you may be able to see what elements of your review are underdeveloped and will benefit from more focused attention.

USE VISUALIZATION TOOLS

Attribution.

Thanks to Librarian Jamie Niehof at the University of Michigan for providing permission to reuse and remix this Literature Reviews guide.

Avoiding Bias

Reporting bias.

This occurs when you are summarizing the literature in an unbalanced, inconsistent or distorted way . 

Ways to avoid:

  • look for literature that supports multiple perspectives, viewpoints or theories 
  • ask multiple people to review your writing for bias
  • Last Updated: Apr 9, 2024 3:50 PM
  • URL: https://info.library.okstate.edu/literaturereviews

California State University, Northridge - Home

  • California State University, Northridge

DEAF 360: American Deaf Culture

  • Annotated Bibliography & Literature Review
  • Getting Started
  • Scholarly/Peer-Reviewed/Academic Sources
  • Citation Guide & Tips
  • Deaf Culture on Screen & in the News

What is An Annotated Bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is a list of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.) with short paragraph about each source. An annotated bibliography is sometimes a useful step before drafting a research paper, or it can stand alone as an overview of the research available on a topic.

Each source in the annotated bibliography has a citation - the information a reader needs to find the original source, in a consistent format to make that easier. These consistent formats are called citation styles.  The most common citation styles are MLA (Modern Language Association) for humanities, and APA (American Psychological Association) for social sciences.

Annotations are about 4 to 6 sentences long (roughly 150 words), and address:

  •     Main focus or purpose of the work
  •     Usefulness or relevance to your research topic 
  •     Special features of the work that were unique or helpful
  •     Background and credibility of the author
  •     Conclusions or observations reached by the author
  •     Conclusions or observations reached by you

Annotations versus Abstracts

Many scholarly articles start with an abstract, which is the author's summary of the article to help you decide whether you should read the entire article.  This abstract is not the same thing as an annotation.  The annotation needs to be in your own words, to explain the relevance of the source to your particular assignment or research question.

Literature Review

Details and examples of how to organize and write a literature review

Annotated Bibliography video

APA 7th Annotated Bibliography Examples

Journal article

Alvarez, N. & Mearns, J. (2014). The benefits of writing and performing in the spoken word poetry community.  The Arts in Psychotherapy, 41 (3), 263-268.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2014.03.004 Prior research has shown narrative writing to help with making meaning out of trauma. This article uses grounded theory to analyze semi-structured interviews with ten spoken word poets.  Because spoken word poetry is performed live, it creates personal and community connections that enhance the emotional development and resolution offered by the practice of writing. The findings are limited by the small, nonrandom sample (all the participants were from the same community).

  • APA 7th Sample Annotated Bibliography
  • << Previous: Citation Guide & Tips
  • Next: Deaf Culture on Screen & in the News >>
  • Last Updated: Jan 25, 2024 11:50 AM
  • URL: https://libguides.csun.edu/DeafStudies360

Document Reader

Report ADA Problems with Library Services and Resources

IMAGES

  1. MLA Annotated Bibliography Examples and Writing Guide

    is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

  2. Annotated Bibliography

    is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

  3. Follow Our Turabian Style Annotated Bibliography Sample

    is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

  4. Annotated Bibliography Example MLA Citation

    is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

  5. Annotated Bibliography

    is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

  6. MLA Format Annotated Bibliography Example

    is an annotated bibliography the same as a literature review

VIDEO

  1. Annotated Bibliography 2

  2. Digital Annotated Bibliography

  3. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ENGL1C

  4. Annotated Bibliography for ENG 102

  5. Annotated Bibliography

  6. Annotated Bibliography

COMMENTS

  1. Annotated Bibliography vs. Literature Review

    Notice, there a BIG DIFFERENCE between the two. An annotated bibliography is mostly a summary of the reading and a place for you to talk about how and why the literature fits in to your research. A Lit Review provides a summary + critical analysis + synthesis + overview of prior work done on a subject + reveals gaps in research. Structure.

  2. What is the difference between a literature review and an annotated

    Literature reviews give an overview of knowledge on a subject, helping you identify relevant theories and methods, as well as gaps in existing research. Literature reviews are set up similarly to other academic texts, with an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion. An annotated bibliography is a list of source references that has a short ...

  3. Annotated Bibliography vs Literature Review

    Another difference is the length. As mentioned earlier, the annotation summaries are around 150 words per source. The literature review, on the other hand, is typically somewhere between 6,000 - 12,000 words. This reinforces the fact that the annotated bibliography is a concise assessment of the source, whilst the literature review is a ...

  4. PDF Comparing the Annotated Bibliography to the Literature Review

    An annotated bibliography must organize sources alphabetically, but a literature review is likely to use problem/solution, cause/effect, comparison/contrast, classification/division, or process to organize sources. The following illustration provides an example of the differences in layout between an annotated bibliography and a literature review.

  5. Annotated Bibliography vs. Literature Review

    An annotated bibliography is different from a literature review because it serves a different purpose. Annotated bibliographies focus on sources gathered for a specific research project. A literature review attempts to take a comprehensive approach to evaluate all of the research available on a particular question or a topic to create the ...

  6. What Is an Annotated Bibliography?

    An annotated bibliography is a list of source references that includes a short descriptive text (an annotation) for each source. It may be assigned as part of the research process for a paper, or as an individual assignment to gather and read relevant sources on a topic. Scribbr's free Citation Generator allows you to easily create and manage ...

  7. Literature Review vs. Annotated Bibliography: What's the Difference?

    Below each citation, include a brief, 2-3 sentence synopsis. A literature review is not just an annotated bibliography converted from a list into paragraphs, nor is It only a synopsis of related research. It is not simply a series of "reviews" of the strengths and the weaknesses of previous research. And yet it might contain all of these ...

  8. Understanding Literature Review vs Annotated Bibliography

    Understanding these differences will clear up any confusion you might have about them.literature review vs annotated bibliography. In this article, you'll find out the main differences between a literature review and an annotated bibliography. Understanding these differences will clear up any confusion you might have about them.literature ...

  9. Literature Reviews & Annotated Bibliographies

    The purpose of an annotated bibliography is to: review the literature of a particular subject; demonstrate the quality and depth of reading that you have done; exemplify the scope of sources available—such as journals, books, websites and magazine articles; highlight sources that may be of interest to other readers and researchers;

  10. LibGuides: Annotated Bibliographies and Literature Reviews: Home

    A literature review is not simply a summary of information you have found on a topic. Literature reviews are more in depth and provides analysis of multiple works relating to a research question. An annotated bibliography is a list of the resources, that you consulted when working on a research project. Each citation is accompanied by a brief ...

  11. Literature Review: Annotated bibliography

    Literature Review: Annotated bibliography. This guide will define a literature review, describe the process of writing a literature review and examine where to search for literature. ... Background materials and references to previous work by the same author usually are not included. As you are addressing one text at a time, there is no need to ...

  12. How to Write a Literature Review

    Example literature review #4: "Learners' Listening Comprehension Difficulties in English Language Learning: ... It can be helpful to make an annotated bibliography, where you compile full citation information and write a paragraph of summary and analysis for each source. This helps you remember what you read and saves time later in the process.

  13. What is a literature review? Is it the same thing as an annotated

    An annotated bibliography is a list of books, journals, and other citations typically accompanied by a short summary or evaluation of each source. A literature review summarizes the published material on a topic to address a specific research question and requires synthesizing evidence or critiquing the literature.

  14. Literature Reviews and Annotated Bibliographies

    Annotated Bibliography. Review Chapter 7 - Section 2>> Annotated Bibliographies. The Literature Review. According to Hart (1998), "A literature review is an objective, thorough summary and critical analysis of the relevant available research and non-research literature on the topic being studied ...

  15. ENG 201: Research Introduction, Annotated Bibliography & Literature

    In a literature review, the author synthesizes multiple sources together to present the major themes, arguments and theories around a topic. Therefore, an annotated bibliography can provide an opportunity to review and analyze individual sources before o rganizing them around common denominators found across sources.

  16. Annotated Bibliography vs Literature Review: What's the Difference?

    By definition, an annotated bibliography is an ordered list of sources with a brief explanation of each source. Since each source is a brief and concise exposition of the original author's central ideas, a reader should be able to get a clear objective of the content of the source. A literature review, on the other hand, gives a reader an ...

  17. Annotated bibliographies

    Annotated bibliography as precursor to the literature review As a list of sources and materials, the annotated bibliography lays out resources consulted in the formation of an argument or thesis. It doesn't actually make the argument itself, or offer an overview or understanding of a particular subject or topic.

  18. Literature Review vs. Annotated Bibliography vs. Research Paper... What

    An annotated bibliography is different from a literature review because it serves a different purpose. Annotated bibliographies focus on sources gathered for a specific research project. A literature review attempts to take a comprehensive approach to evaluate all of the research available on a particular question or a topic to create the ...

  19. Difference Between Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review

    The difference between annotated bibliography and literature review lies in the way they present information. An annotated bibliography lists the sources separately, followed by short descriptions. But, literature review analyses all the sources together, examining the relationship between them. In addition, differences can also be observed in ...

  20. Annotated Bibliography & Literature Review

    An annotated bibliography is sometimes a useful step before drafting a research paper, or it can stand alone as an overview of the research available on a topic. Each source in the annotated bibliography has a citation - the information a reader needs to find the original source, in a consistent format to make that easier.

  21. Literature Reviews

    Literature Review - from The Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill. A literature review discusses published information in a particular subject area, and sometimes information in a particular subject area within a certain time period. It usually has an organizational pattern and combines both summary and synthesis.

  22. Annotated Bibliography vs Literature Review

    An annotated bibliography is a list of all the references you used for your research writing and a summary of the content. It usually consists of the citation written in a particular style and an annotation, a concise paragraph of about 100 to 300 words. On the other hand, a literature review is a systematic description of the existing ...

  23. Writing the Review

    An annotated bibliography collects short descriptions of each source in one place. After you have read each source carefully, set aside some time to write a brief summary. ... As you conduct your research, you will likely read many sources that model the same kind of literature review that you are researching and writing. While your original ...

  24. Annotated Bibliography vs. Literature Review: Are they different?

    Confused about the difference between the two? EssayJack CEO Dr. Lindy explains the difference in this short video. To learn how to write an Annotated Biblio...

  25. Annotated Bibliography.docx

    1 Annotated Bibliography Hilton Anthony Starling College of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Grand Canyon University Introduction to Graduate Studies in Counseling UNV-508 Dr. Hecht March 15, 2023 1 Annotated Bibliography Sorek, Y. (2019). C ... Children and Youth Services Review, 107. https: ... Children imitate the same thing ...

  26. Annotated Bibliography & Literature Review

    An annotated bibliography is sometimes a useful step before drafting a research paper, or it can stand alone as an overview of the research available on a topic. Each source in the annotated bibliography has a citation - the information a reader needs to find the original source, in a consistent format to make that easier.