Pick something you can handle well within your time and space limitations. Define your topic clearly and precisely. Your first idea might be too broad (this is everyone's most common difficulty). Try picking one aspect of a topic in which you're interested. Step 2 will also help you narrow your topic, so these two steps work together.
Review the research guide on Choosing a Topic for lots of helpful hints.
Use several good reference sources to become familiar with your topic. Good reference sources will also help you identify the best books and articles about the subject. Examples of reference sources are general and topical encyclopedias. Ask for help in identifying good sources at the Reference Desk.
Try these online sources for background material:
The library has special search engines to find what you need for your course assignments. Review your assignment to see if it specifies a number of books, a number of articles, and so on. Are you prompted to include primary sources? How about audio, video, or web sites? Does your assignment specify other criteria to use in your decision making?
Review what you've found in Step 3.
For each item you selected, write down a concise summary of what it contains, and how it will inform someone. If appropriate, add evaluative comments telling what is or is not covered, any strengths or weaknesses you notice, and where it might fit into an overview of your topic. Note the author's experience and qualifications in their field, or lack of it.
Example of Annotated Bibliography offered by Purdue OWL.
Arrange items in a logical order. For example, you might put them in order from most general to most specific. Or, you might decide it's best to put them in order from newest to oldest - or even best to worst.
Ask at the Reference Desk if you are not sure about the citation format for an item. Get help from the folks at the Writing Center if you feel like you need writing tips. They are also very good at helping with the big three citation styles (APA, Chicago, MLA).