The annotated bibliography was my first research assignment.

Therefore, the process of

finding credible, peer-reviewed sources was new and challenging for me. In high school, I wrote
mainly analytical or persuasive pieces according to evidence the teacher provided. Therefore, I
never used library databases to gather evidence. When I first began researching for the annotated
bibliography assignment, I struggled to find any evidence at all. This is because I was using the
wrong boolean phrases, and I was searching using the wrong databases. When I met with a
librarian at the university, she helped me to identify more relevant databases. Because my topic
pertained to technology in education, I began searching on EducationSource and other
education-related sources. This produced ample evidence. Therefore, the next challenge I faced
was in choosing the most relevant evidence. I carefully vetted each source for information that
was specific to my thesis; this was a lengthy process, since many sources seemed useful, but
after reading through them, I didn’t find any helpful data. Some sources were more useful than
others in the amount of evidence I discovered. I also struggled to find counter arguments that
didn’t detract from my argument; I learned that many sources contain subtle counter arguments,
and these sources may be more effective than using evidence that directly opposes my argument.
If I could alter my annotated bibliography assignment, I would make my research
question more specific, especially pertaining to types of technology. I would also clarify the kind
of technology that I would later discuss in my thesis statement. If I could go back to the
beginning of the semester, I would better manage my time. I would use more precise sources, as
well as better boolean phrases, in order to narrow my research process.
Despite the difficulties I faced in conducting research for the annotated bibliography
assignment, I now understand the importance of credible sources. Compared to the popular
sources from which I used to extract evidence, peer-reviewed sources are often based on
experimental research. While data can still be bias, carefully analyzed data is a powerful tool in
persuading an audience.