OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

I. What is an Annotated Reference?

II. The Difference Between an Abstract and an Annotated

Reference

III. The Process of Constructing an Annotated Reference

IV. Example of an Annotated Reference

 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

I. What is an Annotated Reference?

(Adapted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia is approved as
a source by the Association for Psychological Science)

An annotated reference provides the reader with a summary

and an evaluation of a source article. The summary is a
concise exposition of the source's central idea(s) and gives
the reader a general idea of the source's content relative to a
general construct or thesis argument.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

I. What is an Annotated Reference?

(Adapted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia is approved as
a source by the Association for Psychological Science)

Types of annotations

a. Indicative annotations
This type of annotation defines the scope of the source, lists
the topics and explains what the source is about. In this type
of entry, there is no attempt to give actual data such as
hypotheses, proofs, author etc.

b. Informative annotations
This type of annotation is a summary of the source. An
informative annotation should include the thesis of the work,
arguments or hypotheses, proofs and a conclusion.

c. Evaluative annotations
This type of annotation assesses the source's strengths and
weaknesses, in terms of usefulness and quality.

d. Combination annotations
Most annotated bibliographies contain combination
annotations. This type of annotation will summarize or
describe the topic, and then evaluate the source's usefulness.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

I. What is an Annotated Reference?

(Adapted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia is approved as
a source by the Association for Psychological Science)

Types of annotations

a. Indicative annotations
This type of annotation defines the scope of the source, lists
the topics and explains what the source is about. In this type
of entry, there is no attempt to give actual data such as
hypotheses, proofs, author etc.

b. Informative annotations
This type of annotation is a summary of the source. An
informative annotation should include the thesis of the work,
arguments or hypotheses, proofs and a conclusion.

c. Evaluative annotations
This type of annotation assesses the source's strengths and
weaknesses, in terms of usefulness and quality.

d. Combination annotations
Most annotated bibliographies contain combination
annotations. This type of annotation will summarize or
describe the topic, and then evaluate the source's usefulness.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCES

II. Difference Between an Abstract and an Annotated

Reference

A. Abstract
1. Purely descriptive summary found at the beginning
of a scholarly journal articles or in literature databases.

2. Summarizes entire article.

B. Annotation
1. Descriptive and critical summary of an article that
only summarizes those aspects of the article that
related directly to the project hypothesis.

2. Only the elements of the article that relate directly

to the project hypothesis are presented, and the
relationship to the project hypothesis must be clearly
presented.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

II. The Process of Constructing an Annotated Reference

A. Creating an annotated reference calls for the application of a
variety of intellectual skills which include concise exposition,
succinct analysis, and informed library research.

B. Reference the article using style specified in the 6th edition

of the APA Publication Manual.

C. Provide a concise (maximum 250 words) summarization of

the article’s central theme and scope as they relate to the
project hypothesis. Include one paragraph for each of the
following points.

Paragraph 1. The purpose of the article. Look for hypotheses

or specific research questions; if you cannot find it then you
will have to develop one from your own interpretation.

Paragraph 2. A brief summary of procedure. You must state

the IV(s) and DV(s), and they must possess some match to
those of your hypothesis.

Paragraph 3. Whether study hypothesis was supported

followed by a summary of most important results. The
strongest presentation includes descriptive data.

Paragraph 4. Presentation of how the study results relate to

the project hypothesis. This paragraph may also include
statements of study strengths or limitations that might affect
the study’s relationship to the project hypothesis.
Annotated Reference Example
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

II. The Process of Constructing an Annotated Reference

A. Creating an annotated reference calls for the application of a
variety of intellectual skills which include concise exposition,
succinct analysis, and informed library research.

B. Reference the article using style specified in the 6th edition

of the APA Publication Manual.

C. Provide a concise (maximum 250-words) summarization of

the article’s central theme and scope as they relate to the
project hypothesis. Include one paragraph for each of the
following points.

Paragraph 1. The purpose of the article. Look for hypotheses

or specific research questions; if you cannot find it then you
will to develop one from your own interpretation.

Paragraph 2. A brief summary of procedure. You must state

the IV(s) and DV(s), and they must possess some match to
those of your hypothesis.

Paragraph 3. Whether study hypothesis was supported

followed by a summary of most important results. The
strongest presentation includes descriptive data.

Paragraph 4. Presentation of how the study results relate to

the project hypothesis. This paragraph may also include
statements of study strengths or limitations that might affect
the study’s relationship to the project hypothesis.
 Your Hypothesis

If a person is presented with a complex

spatial information processing task,

then they will show more focused

brain activity

than a person who is presented with a

simple spatial information processing

task.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

II. The Process of Constructing an Annotated Reference

A. Creating an annotated reference calls for the application of a
variety of intellectual skills which include concise exposition,
succinct analysis, and informed library research.

B. Reference the article using style specified in the 6th edition

of the APA Publication Manual.

C. Provide a concise (maximum 250-words) summarization of

the article’s central theme and scope as they relate to the
project hypothesis. Include one paragraph for each of the
following points.

Paragraph 1. The purpose of the article. Look for hypotheses

or specific research questions; if you cannot find it then you
will have to develop one from your own interpretation.

Paragraph 2. A brief summary of procedure. You must state

the IV(s) DV(s), and they must possess some match to those
of your hypothesis.

Paragraph 3. Whether study hypothesis was supported

followed by a summary of most important results. The
strongest presentation includes descriptive data.

Paragraph 4. Presentation of how the study results relate to

the project hypothesis. This paragraph may also include
statements of study strengths or limitations that might affect
the study’s relationship to the project hypothesis.
Senior Project Annotated Reference Example: Empirical Article, 250 words

McCarthy, G., Blamire, A. M., Puce, A., Goldman-Rakic, P., & Shulman,
R. G. (2003). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of human
prefrontal cortex activation during a spatial working memory task.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(7), 8690-8694.
doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01383.x

Functional brain imaging was used to test the hypothesis: If an adult

works on a complex spatial working memory task, then they will show brain
activity localized only in the right prefrontal cortex of their brain.
Participants were eight neurologically-healthy subjects, aged 30 – 38
years. The independent variable was a complex spatial working memory
task requiring judgment of whether the location occupied by a computer-
generated visual target stimulus on a background grid had been occupied by
any of 15 visual stimuli previously presented in various locations on the
same grid. The simple spatial detection control tasks required the subjects to
indicate when a presented stimulus was colored red (color detection) or
when a dot briefly appeared within a presented stimulus (dot detection). The
dependent variable was brain activity during the tasks as measured with
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The results supported the study hypothesis. fMRI showed simple spatial
detection control tasks to be associated with a 20% increase in right
hemisphere brain activity. However, completion of the complex spatial
memory task produced a 32% increase in activity localized to the mid-frontal
gyrus in the right brain hemisphere These findings were replicated when re-
testing the subjects.
The finding that, compared to simple spatial discrimination tasks, a more
complex spatial working memory task produced more localized activity in
the brain supports the thesis hypothesis of more focused brain activity during
complex information processing. However, the investigators noted that the
strength of the study findings is limited by the small sample size.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

II. The Process of Constructing an Annotated Reference

A. Creating an annotated reference calls for the application of a
variety of intellectual skills which include concise exposition,
succinct analysis, and informed library research.

B. Reference the article using style specified in the 6th edition

of the APA Publication Manual.

C. Provide a concise (maximum 250-words) summarization of

the article’s central theme and scope as they relate to the
project hypothesis. Include one paragraph for each of the
following points.

Paragraph 1. The purpose of the article. Look for hypotheses

or specific research questions; if you cannot find it then you
will have to develop one from your own interpretation.

Paragraph 2. A brief summary of procedure. You must state

the IV(s) and DV(s), and they must possess some match to
those of your hypothesis.

Paragraph 3. Whether study hypothesis was supported

followed by a summary of most important results. The
strongest presentation includes descriptive data.

Paragraph 4. Presentation of how the study results relate to

the project hypothesis. This paragraph may also include
statements of study strengths or limitations that might affect
the study’s relationship to the project hypothesis.
Senior Project Annotated Reference Example: Empirical Article, 250 words

McCarthy, G., Blamire, A. M., Puce, A., Goldman-Rakic, P., & Shulman,
R. G. (2003). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of human
prefrontal cortex activation during a spatial working memory task.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(7), 8690-8694.
doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01383.x

Functional brain imaging was used to test the hypothesis: If an adult

works on a complex spatial working memory task, then they will show brain
activity localized only in the right prefrontal cortex of their brain.
Participants were eight neurologically-healthy subjects, aged 30 – 38
years. The independent variable was a complex spatial working memory
task requiring judgment of whether the location occupied by a computer-
generated visual target stimulus on a background grid had been occupied by
any of 15 visual stimuli previously presented in various locations on the
same grid. The simple spatial detection control tasks required the subjects to
indicate when a presented stimulus was colored red (color detection) or
when a dot briefly appeared within a presented stimulus (dot detection). The
dependent variable was brain activity during the tasks as measured with
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The results supported the study hypothesis. fMRI showed simple spatial
detection control tasks to be associated with a 20% increase in right
hemisphere brain activity. However, completion of the complex spatial
memory task produced a 32% increase in activity localized to the mid-frontal
gyrus in the right brain hemisphere These findings were replicated when re-
testing the subjects.
The finding that, compared to simple spatial discrimination tasks, a more
complex spatial working memory task produced more localized activity in
the brain supports the thesis hypothesis of more focused brain activity during
complex information processing. However, the investigators noted that the
strength of the study findings is limited by the small sample size.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

II. The Process of Constructing an Annotated Reference

A. Creating an annotated reference calls for the application of a
variety of intellectual skills which include concise exposition,
succinct analysis, and informed library research.

B. Reference the article using style specified in the 6th edition

of the APA Publication Manual.

C. Provide a concise (maximum 250-words) summarization of

the article’s central theme and scope as they relate to the
project hypothesis. Include one paragraph for each of the
following points.

Paragraph 1. The purpose of the article. Look for hypotheses

or specific research questions; if you cannot find it then you
will have to develop one from your own interpretation.

Paragraph 2. A brief summary of procedure. You must state

the IV(s) and DV(s), and they must possess some match to
those of your hypothesis.

Paragraph 3. Whether study hypothesis was supported

followed by a summary of most important results. The
strongest presentation includes descriptive data.

Paragraph 4. Presentation of how the study results relate to

the project hypothesis. This paragraph may also include
statements of study strengths or limitations that might affect
the study’s relationship to the project hypothesis.
Senior Project Annotated Reference Example: Empirical Article, 250 words

McCarthy, G., Blamire, A. M., Puce, A., Goldman-Rakic, P., & Shulman,
R. G. (2003). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of human
prefrontal cortex activation during a spatial working memory task.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(7), 8690-8694.
doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01383.x

Functional brain imaging was used to test the hypothesis: If an adult

works on a complex spatial working memory task, then they will show brain
activity localized only in the right prefrontal cortex of their brain.
Participants were eight neurologically-healthy subjects, aged 30 – 38
years. The independent variable was a complex spatial working memory
task requiring judgment of whether the location occupied by a computer-
generated visual target stimulus on a background grid had been occupied by
any of 15 visual stimuli previously presented in various locations on the
same grid. The simple spatial detection control tasks required the subjects to
indicate when a presented stimulus was colored red (color detection) or
when a dot briefly appeared within a presented stimulus (dot detection). The
dependent variable was brain activity during the tasks as measured with
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The results supported the study hypothesis. fMRI showed simple spatial
detection control tasks to be associated with a 20% increase in right
hemisphere brain activity. However, completion of the complex spatial
memory task produced a 32% increase in activity localized to the mid-frontal
gyrus in the right brain hemisphere These findings were replicated when re-
testing the subjects.
The finding that, compared to simple spatial discrimination tasks, a more
complex spatial working memory task produced more localized activity in
the brain supports the thesis hypothesis of more focused brain activity during
complex information processing. However, the investigators noted that the
strength of the study findings is limited by the small sample size.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

II. The Process of Constructing an Annotated Reference

A. Creating an annotated reference calls for the application of a
variety of intellectual skills which include concise exposition,
succinct analysis, and informed library research.

B. Reference the article using style specified in the 6th edition

of the APA Publication Manual.

C. Provide a concise (maximum 250-words) summarization of

the article’s central theme and scope as they relate to the
project hypothesis. Include one paragraph for each of the
following points.

Paragraph 1. The purpose of the article. Look for hypotheses

or specific research questions; if you cannot find it then you
will have to develop one from your own interpretation.

Paragraph 2. A brief summary of procedure. You must state

the IV(s) and DV(s), and they must possess some match to
those of your hypothesis.

Paragraph 3. Whether study hypothesis was supported

followed by a summary of most important results. The
strongest presentation includes descriptive data.

Paragraph 4. Presentation of how the study results relate to

the project hypothesis. This paragraph may also include
statements of study strengths or limitations that might affect
the study’s relationship to the project hypothesis.
Senior Project Annotated Reference Example: Empirical Article, 250 words

McCarthy, G., Blamire, A. M., Puce, A., Goldman-Rakic, P., & Shulman,
R. G. (2003). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of human
prefrontal cortex activation during a spatial working memory task.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(7), 8690-8694.
doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01383.x

Functional brain imaging was used to test the hypothesis: If an adult

works on a complex spatial working memory task, then they will show brain
activity localized only in the right prefrontal cortex of their brain.
Participants were eight neurologically-healthy subjects, aged 30 – 38
years. The independent variable was a complex spatial working memory
task requiring judgment of whether the location occupied by a computer-
generated visual target stimulus on a background grid had been occupied by
any of 15 visual stimuli previously presented in various locations on the
same grid. The simple spatial detection control tasks required the subjects to
indicate when a presented stimulus was colored red (color detection) or
when a dot briefly appeared within a presented stimulus (dot detection). The
dependent variable was brain activity during the tasks as measured with
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The results supported the study hypothesis. fMRI showed simple spatial
detection control tasks to be associated with a 20% increase in right
hemisphere brain activity. However, completion of the complex spatial
memory task produced a 32% increase in activity localized to the mid-frontal
gyrus in the right brain hemisphere These findings were replicated when re-
testing the subjects.
The finding that, compared to simple spatial discrimination tasks, a more
complex spatial working memory task produced more localized activity in
the brain supports the thesis hypothesis of more focused brain activity during
complex information processing. However, the investigators noted that the
strength of the study findings is limited by the small sample size.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

II. The Process of Constructing an Annotated Reference

A. Creating an annotated reference calls for the application of a
variety of intellectual skills which include concise exposition,
succinct analysis, and informed library research.

B. Reference the article using style specified in the 6th edition

of the APA Publication Manual.

C. Provide a concise (maximum 250-words) summarization of

the article’s central theme and scope as they relate to the
project hypothesis. Include one paragraph for each of the
following points.

Paragraph 1. The purpose of the article. Look for hypotheses

or specific research questions; if you cannot find it then you
will have to develop one from your own interpretation.

Paragraph 2. A brief summary of procedure. You must state

the IV(s) and DV(s), and they must possess some match to
those of your hypothesis.

Paragraph 3. Whether study hypothesis was supported

followed by a summary of most important results. The
strongest presentation includes descriptive data.

Paragraph 4. Presentation of how the study results relate to

the project hypothesis. This paragraph may also include
statements of study strengths or limitations that might affect
the study’s relationship to the project hypothesis.
Senior Project Annotated Reference Example: Empirical Article, 250 words

McCarthy, G., Blamire, A. M., Puce, A., Goldman-Rakic, P., & Shulman,
R. G. (2003). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of human
prefrontal cortex activation during a spatial working memory task.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(7), 8690-8694.
doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01383.x

Functional brain imaging was used to test the hypothesis: If an adult

works on a complex spatial working memory task, then they will show brain
activity localized only in the right prefrontal cortex of their brain.
Participants were eight neurologically-healthy subjects, aged 30 – 38
years. The independent variable was a complex spatial working memory
task requiring judgment of whether the location occupied by a computer-
generated visual target stimulus on a background grid had been occupied by
any of 15 visual stimuli previously presented in various locations on the
same grid. The simple spatial detection control tasks required the subjects to
indicate when a presented stimulus was colored red (color detection) or
when a dot briefly appeared within a presented stimulus (dot detection). The
dependent variable was brain activity during the tasks as measured with
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The results supported the study hypothesis. fMRI showed simple spatial
detection control tasks to be associated with a 20% increase in right
hemisphere brain activity. However, completion of the complex spatial
memory task produced a 32% increase in activity localized to the mid-frontal
gyrus in the right brain hemisphere These findings were replicated when re-
testing the subjects.
The finding that, compared to simple spatial discrimination tasks, a more
complex spatial working memory task produced more localized activity in
the brain supports the thesis hypothesis of more focused brain activity during
complex information processing. However, the investigators noted that the
strength of the study findings is limited by the small sample size.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

II. The Process of Constructing an Annotated Reference

A. Creating an annotated reference calls for the application of a
variety of intellectual skills which include concise exposition,
succinct analysis, and informed library research.

B. Reference the article using style specified in the 6th edition

of the APA Publication Manual.

C. Provide a concise (maximum 250-words) summarization of

the article’s central theme and scope as they relate to the
project hypothesis. Include one paragraph for each of the
following points.

Paragraph 1. The purpose of the article. Look for hypotheses

or specific research questions; if you cannot find it then you
will have to develop one from your own interpretation.

Paragraph 2. A brief summary of procedure. You must state

the IV(s) and DV(s), and they must possess some match to
those of your hypothesis.

Paragraph 3. Whether study hypothesis was supported

followed by a summary of most important results. The
strongest presentation includes descriptive data.

Paragraph 4. Presentation of how the study results relate to

the project hypothesis. This paragraph may also include
statements of study strengths or limitations that might affect
the study’s relationship to the project hypothesis.
Senior Project Annotated Reference Example: Empirical Article, 250 words

McCarthy, G., Blamire, A. M., Puce, A., Goldman-Rakic, P., & Shulman,
R. G. (2003). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of human
prefrontal cortex activation during a spatial working memory task.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(7), 8690-8694.
doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01383.x

Functional brain imaging was used to test the hypothesis: If an adult

works on a complex spatial working memory task, then they will show brain
activity localized only in the right prefrontal cortex of their brain.
Participants were eight neurologically-healthy subjects, aged 30 – 38
years. The independent variable was a complex spatial working memory
task requiring judgment of whether the location occupied by a computer-
generated visual target stimulus on a background grid had been occupied by
any of 15 visual stimuli previously presented in various locations on the
same grid. The simple spatial detection control tasks required the subjects to
indicate when a presented stimulus was colored red (color detection) or
when a dot briefly appeared within a presented stimulus (dot detection). The
dependent variable was brain activity during the tasks as measured with
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The results supported the study hypothesis. fMRI showed simple spatial
detection control tasks to be associated with a 20% increase in right
hemisphere brain activity. However, completion of the complex spatial
memory task produced a 32% increase in activity localized to the mid-frontal
gyrus in the right brain hemisphere These findings were replicated when re-
testing the subjects.
The finding that, compared to simple spatial discrimination tasks, a more
complex spatial working memory task produced more localized activity in
the brain supports the thesis hypothesis of more focused brain activity during
complex information processing. However, the investigators noted that the
strength of the study findings is limited by the small sample size.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

II. The Process of Constructing an Annotated Reference

A. Creating an annotated reference calls for the application of a
variety of intellectual skills which include concise exposition,
succinct analysis, and informed library research.

B. Reference the article using style specified in the 6th edition

of the APA Publication Manual.

C. Provide a concise (maximum 250-words) summarization of

the article’s central theme and scope as they relate to the
project hypothesis. Include one paragraph for each of the
following points.

Paragraph 1. The purpose of the article. Look for hypotheses

or specific research questions; if you cannot find it then you
will have to develop one from your own interpretation.

Paragraph 2. A brief summary of procedure. You must state

the IV(s) and DV(s), and they must possess some match to
those of your hypothesis.

Paragraph 3. Whether study hypothesis was supported

followed by a summary of most important results. The
strongest presentation includes descriptive data.

Paragraph 4. Presentation of how the study results relate to

the project hypothesis. This paragraph may also include
statements of study strengths or limitations that might affect
the study’s relationship to the project hypothesis.
Senior Project Annotated Reference Example: Empirical Article, 250 words

McCarthy, G., Blamire, A. M., Puce, A., Goldman-Rakic, P., & Shulman,
R. G. (2003). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of human
prefrontal cortex activation during a spatial working memory task.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(7), 8690-8694.
doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01383.x

Functional brain imaging was used to test the hypothesis: If an adult

works on a complex spatial working memory task, then they will show brain
activity localized only in the right prefrontal cortex of their brain.
Participants were eight neurologically-healthy subjects, aged 30 – 38
years. The independent variable was a complex spatial working memory
task requiring judgment of whether the location occupied by a computer-
generated visual target stimulus on a background grid had been occupied by
any of 15 visual stimuli previously presented in various locations on the
same grid. The simple spatial detection control tasks required the subjects to
indicate when a presented stimulus was colored red (color detection) or
when a dot briefly appeared within a presented stimulus (dot detection). The
dependent variable was brain activity during the tasks as measured with
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The results supported the study hypothesis. fMRI showed simple spatial
detection control tasks to be associated with a 20% increase in right
hemisphere brain activity. However, completion of the complex spatial
memory task produced a 32% increase in activity localized to the mid-frontal
gyrus in the right brain hemisphere These findings were replicated when re-
testing the subjects.
The finding that, compared to simple spatial discrimination tasks, a more
complex spatial working memory task produced more localized activity in
the brain supports the thesis hypothesis of more focused brain activity during
complex information processing. However, the investigators noted that the
strength of the study findings is limited by the small sample size.
 OVERVIEW OF ANNOTATED REFERENCE

II. The Process of Constructing an Annotated Reference

A. Creating an annotated reference calls for the application of a
variety of intellectual skills which include concise exposition,
succinct analysis, and informed library research.

B. Reference the article using style specified in the 6th edition

of the APA Publication Manual.

C. Provide a concise (maximum 250-words) summarization of

the article’s central theme and scope as they relate to the
project hypothesis. Include one paragraph for each of the
following points.

Paragraph 1. The purpose of the article. Look for hypotheses

or specific research questions; if you cannot find it then you
will have to develop one from your own interpretation.

Paragraph 2. A brief summary of procedure. You must state

the IV(s) and DV(s), and they must possess some match to
those of your hypothesis.

Paragraph 3. Whether study hypothesis was supported

followed by a summary of most important results. The
strongest presentation includes descriptive data.

Paragraph 4. Presentation of how the study results relate to

the project hypothesis. This paragraph may also include
statements of study strengths or limitations that might affect
the study’s relationship to the project hypothesis.
Senior Project Annotated Reference Example: Empirical Article, 250 words

McCarthy, G., Blamire, A. M., Puce, A., Goldman-Rakic, P., & Shulman,
R. G. (2003). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of human
prefrontal cortex activation during a spatial working memory task.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(7), 8690-8694.
doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01383.x

Functional brain imaging was used to test the hypothesis: If an adult

works on a complex spatial working memory task, then they will show brain
activity localized only in the right prefrontal cortex of their brain.
Participants were eight neurologically-healthy subjects, aged 30 – 38
years. The independent variable was a complex spatial working memory
task requiring judgment of whether the location occupied by a computer-
generated visual target stimulus on a background grid had been occupied by
any of 15 visual stimuli previously presented in various locations on the
same grid. The simple spatial detection control tasks required the subjects to
indicate when a presented stimulus was colored red (color detection) or
when a dot briefly appeared within a presented stimulus (dot detection). The
dependent variable was brain activity during the tasks as measured with
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The results supported the study hypothesis. fMRI showed simple spatial
detection control tasks to be associated with a 20% increase in right
hemisphere brain activity. However, completion of the complex spatial
memory task produced a 32% increase in activity localized to the mid-frontal
gyrus in the right brain hemisphere These findings were replicated when re-
testing the subjects.
The finding that, compared to simple spatial discrimination tasks, a more
complex spatial working memory task produced more localized activity in
the brain supports the thesis hypothesis of more focused brain activity during
complex information processing. However, the investigators noted that the
strength of the study findings is limited by the small sample size.
Senior Project Annotated Reference Example: Empirical Article, 250 words

McCarthy, G., Blamire, A. M., Puce, A., Goldman-Rakic, P., & Shulman,
R. G. (2003). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of human
prefrontal cortex activation during a spatial working memory task.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(7), 8690-8694.
doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01383.x

Functional brain imaging was used to test the hypothesis: If an adult

works on a complex spatial working memory task, then they will show brain
activity localized only in the right prefrontal cortex of their brain.
Participants were eight neurologically-healthy subjects, aged 30 – 38
years. The independent variable was a complex spatial working memory
task requiring judgment of whether the location occupied by a computer-
generated visual target stimulus on a background grid had been occupied by
any of 15 visual stimuli previously presented in various locations on the
same grid. The simple spatial detection control tasks required the subjects to
indicate when a presented stimulus was colored red (color detection) or
when a dot briefly appeared within a presented stimulus (dot detection). The
dependent variable was brain activity during the tasks as measured with
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
The results supported the study hypothesis. fMRI showed simple spatial
detection control tasks to be associated with a 20% increase in right
hemisphere brain activity. However, completion of the complex spatial
memory task produced a 32% increase in activity localized to the mid-frontal
gyrus in the right brain hemisphere These findings were replicated when re-
testing the subjects.
The finding that, compared to simple spatial discrimination tasks, a more
complex spatial working memory task produced more localized activity in
the brain supports the thesis hypothesis of more focused brain activity during
complex information processing. However, the investigators noted that the
strength of the study findings is limited by the small sample size.