The Bibliography box is a collection of A to Z files for filing Bibliography or “Bib” cards. Bibliography cards have two sides: (1) a priming side and (2) a key takeaways side.
The priming side captures the details required for proper references and important ideas, basically “priming” your brain for new information. This is captured during the first flip-through of the research article or other scholarly resource.
| Kant, 1785 Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1785). Description: Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative is a cornerstone of his moral philosophy, outlined in his seminal work, “Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals.” It represents an absolute, unconditional requirement that must be followed in all circumstances and is justified as an end in itself. Overview: – The Formula of Universal Law – The Formula of Humanity – The Formula of the Kingdom of Ends |
The second or reverse side of the Bib card identifies key information that catches your attention in a way that makes you want to learn more, consider more, and write. An example of the reverse side of the Bib card is below. Each point contains the page number and a short description of an important concept. Some people use parentheses or a p. to identify the page number. I find brackets to be neater and more manageable. The point is that the details are personalized to what works best for each individual.
| Key Takeaways: [2183] Control between MNCs and subsidiaries [2184] Ethical leadership characteristics [2185] Normative peculiarities of ethical leadership [2185] Eisenbeiss’ ethical leadership orientation theory [2186] Control to influence behavior and output of employees [2186] Formal control theories [2186] Informal control theories [2187] Definition of ethical leadership [2187] Peculiarities of ethical leadership [2187] Peculiarity 1: Humane orientation [2187] Peculiarity 2: Justice orientation [2187] Peculiarity 3: Responsibility and sustainability orientation [2188] Peculiarity 4: Moderation orientation [2188] Ethical leadership from a cultural perspective |
Later in the process, a reference is appended to each item, creating a connection between the Bib card and other cards. An example of that will be illustrated in a later post. Some Bib cards may be collected and linked to a Terms, Concepts, and Theories card like DeSanctis & Poole, 1994 (below).
| DeSanctis & Poole, 1994 DeSanctis, G., & Poole, M. S. (1994). Capturing the complexity in advanced technology use: Adaptive structuration theory. Organization Science, 5(2), 121-147. Description: Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) is a framework to understand how groups and organizations use advanced information technologies. The theory is an extension and adaptation of Anthony Giddens’ Structuration Theory, which focuses on the duality of structure—how social structures shape human behavior while at the same time being shaped by human actions. Overview: – Technology as an artifact – Appropriation – Structural features |
A Bib card might link to another Bib card. For example, see Eisenbeiss, 2012. Linking one Bib card to another happens when reading a secondary source, like research by Zhang, H. et al., 2023, which references a primary source, Eisenbeiss, 2012. Primary sources may or may not be significant, depending on the information disclosed by the secondary source. Having it available provides discretionary options while ensuring credit is given to whom it is due.
| Eisenbeiss, 2012 Eisenbeiss, S. A. (2012). Re-thinking ethical leadership: An interdisciplinary integrative approach. Leadership Quarterly, 23(5), 791-808. Description: Eisenbeiss proposes an integrative and interdisciplinary framework for ethical leadership that synthesizes ethical theories and leadership models. The theory draws on moral philosophy, psychology, and leadership studies to create a comprehensive understanding of what ethical leadership entails. Overview: – Four ethical orientations: Utilitarian orientation Deontological orientation Virtue ethics orientation Ethics of care orientation |
Bib cards are written based on a high-level observation of points identified while scanning and perusing. The more in-depth reading starts later. However, it is vital to consider an essential characteristic of a Bib card – capturing reference information. References are challenging for any scholar and non-fiction writer but particularly critical for graduate and post-graduate theses and dissertations, documents expected to withstand peer review or oral examinations. With that in mind, the next post will discuss references in more detail.
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