Architecture Research Guide

To write an annotation, you will comment, in paragraph form, on the following elements:

Content—What's the book about? Is it relevant to your research?

Purpose-—What's it for? Why was this book written?

Methods used to collect data—Where did the information come from?

Usefulness—What does it do for your research?

Reliability—Is the information accurate?

Authority—Is it written by someone who has the expertise to author the information?

Currency—Is it new? Is it up-to-date for the topic?

Scope/Coverage/Limitations—What does it cover? What does the author state that he or she will cover? What doesn't the book/article provide that would be helpful?

Arrangement—How is the book organized? Are there any special "added-value" features?

Ease of use—Can a "real person" use this book? What reading level is the book?

Sample annotation:

List, Carla J. Information Research. Dubuque, la.: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., 2002.

In this book, Carla List, an award-winning teacher and librarian, defines and describes information and provides step-by-step instruction on doing research. In seven chapters, she covers the organization of information, information technology, and the presentation, analysis, evaluation, and citation of information. A bibliography, glossary, and index are included. This book is aimed at the college-level student and is useful to the inexperienced researcher.

Example from: Burkhardt, Joanna M., Mary C. MacDonald, and Andrée J. Rathemacher. Teaching Information Literacy: 35 Practical, Standards-based Exercises for College Students. Chicago: American Library Association, 2003, pp. 57-58 (Exercise 25).

Adapted from Envisioning the Framework: A Graphic Guide to Information Literacy, edited by Jannette L. Finch, Association of College & Research Libraries, 2021. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uncc-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6726366.

Building Name

Architect(s)

Date/Era

Context

Location

Style

Type

For biographical information about an architect or design firm, try following example subject headings; 

• Architects --Biography
• Architects -- Country/state of origin (i.e.: North Carolina) -- Directories
• Architects -- Interviews
• Architecture -- Dictionaries
• Women architects -- Country/state of origin (i.e.: United States)
• African American architects -- Country/state of origin 

​* Also use variations of spellings and languages.

• Brainstorm: Break up sentences or long phrases into separate search terms. Write down initial search term ideas. Add to this list as you search and encounter other potential search terms. Cross off terms that are not working. If you are a visual thinker, try using a method like concept mapping.
• Preliminary research: Do not assume that there will be a lot of information on your topic. You may need to narrow or broaden your search to find things related to your topic. Doing early preliminary research will give you time to revise your topic if needed. Focus on scholarly sources. Use primarily scholarly (peer-reviewed) sources. These sources are typically not freely available on the Web and cannot be found using Google. Many of the Library databases provide scholarly resources online.
• Books vs. Articles: Books are helpful for background information and for familiarizing yourself with a topic. Articles can provide more current information and typically address a narrower piece of a topic. 
• Keep a search log: Keep track of which sources and search terms work best for your topic.
• Cite as you go:If you need the article or book again you will have all of the information you need to find it.
• Subject headings: Subject headings are words or phrases used to describe the items in a database or library catalog. They are links in the catalog and several databases. Using them will save time.
• Ask a Librarian!: If you are having trouble with any of these steps, or just need help getting started, contact your librarian.