In this assignment you will develop your skills in finding scholarly sources (academic journal articles and book chapters). You will also increase your understanding of the human dimensions of biotechnology. Finally, you will gain practice in preparing for an academic research paper, and develop skills in researching a topic and analyzing scholarly sources.You will not write the essay. Your annotated bibliography will provide information about your thesis, your sources, and how you would use them in an essay on one aspect of your given topic.
While your bibliography will contain information on biotechnology, your topic should be focused on course themes, that is, the human dimensions of genetic screening, organ donation or surrogate mothers. This may include, for example, economic, ethical, legal, historical, social or psychological perspectives.
Annotated Bibliography
Your bibliography will begin with a 1-paragraph introduction that describes your topic, outlines the focus of your research, and integrates some supporting information from your sources.
This introduction is followed by the list of 6 of your best sources in correct MLA format. Under each source reference, write a paragraph that does the following:

summarizes this source
indicates how it would be used in a paper on your topic of choice
evaluates, and compares it with the other sources in your list.Research as a non-linear process
A research project includes:

choosing a topic
identifying your focus for that topic and defining your approach
finding good scholarly sources
developing a research question and thesis
analyzing, comparing and discussing sources in light of your approach and thesis
However, these components do not represent a linear process – that is, they do not have to be fully completed in a certain order. Rather, you may move back and forth between the different components as you refine your research.
For example, after identifying your initial topic, you may find a few sources that meet the assignment requirements. Reading these sources may help you identify a possible approach. You may then do a more focused search for sources on that approach. Reading these sources help you further refine your research question and develop a possible thesis, prompting you to return to your research for more materials that support your thesis.
Similarly, you may begin writing the annotations for your bibliography, and find that a new, more focused idea is emerging, prompted by your writing. You read your chosen articles closely for material on this new idea, and find that 3 of your sources are too general. You return to your research for sources related more directly to your new argument.
Because of the non-linear nature of the research process, you will likely need to identify, locate and look over at least 10 to 12 scholarly sources in order to arrive at your final list of the 6 best sources you have found.
Your annotations on each source must not be only an abstract or summary. In addition, you will need to:
identify the author and his or her authority
comment on the intended audience for the article or book
summarize the content and purpose of the source briefly in your own words based on your reading
compare or contrast this work with one or more others you have cited
comment on the source’s relevance for your project.
Make use of the library Research Guides, choosing one suited to the course and your topic (Under “Research and Learn” on the York Libraries Home page, or go directly to http://researchguides.library.yorku.ca/content.php?pid=220564).
Evaluation:
1. A descriptive title.
2. A clear introductory paragraph that outlines the development of your focus and approach,
demonstrating your understanding of the topic from a perspective related to the course (the human dimensions as well as the technical description of your topic).
3. Correct MLA citation for each source.
4. Research effort, demonstrated by the range and quality of your sources.
5. Your ability to summarize succinctly the content, structure and main arguments of your
resources.
6. Your ability to comment on the relevance of the sources.
