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Reference Managers

Reference manager software, also known as citation management software or bibliographic management software, is a specialized tool that helps you organize, store, and manage bibliographic information from various sources.  It streamlines the research process by automating tasks such as importing citations from online databases, creating bibliographies, and generating in-text citations.

Reference manager software can often integrate with file storage and sharing, document creation tools, or web-based browsers using plugins. 

Key features of reference manager software:

Citation import: Easily import citations from a variety of sources, including online databases, journal websites, and bibliographic files.

Citation storage: Create a personal database of bibliographic information for all the sources you have consulted or plan to use.

Citation formatting: Generate citations and bibliographies in various styles, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard, according to specific citation guidelines.

In-text citation generation: Insert in-text citations automatically into your word processing documents as you write.

Library management: Organize your citations into folders and tags, categorize them by type, and search for specific references quickly.

Collaboration tools: Share your reference library with colleagues or collaborators for joint research projects.

The Library offers webinars on Mendeley and Zotero reference managers

Mendeley excels in organizing and managing research papers, books, and other relevant materials. Users can effortlessly import references from various sources, including bibliographies, online repositories, and direct PDF scanning. Mendeley automatically extracts key information from these sources, such as author names, publication details, and abstracts, saving researchers valuable time.

In addition, Mendeley facilitates efficient collaboration among researchers by enabling them to share their bibliographies, annotations, and notes with others. Users can create private groups to share work with trusted collaborators or join public groups to engage with a wider academic community.

Zotero is a free and open-source reference management software that simplifies the process of managing research materials by providing a centralized platform for storing and organizing bibliographic information. Users can effortlessly import references from various sources, including websites, PDF files, and online databases. Zotero automatically extracts key information from these sources, such as author names, publication details, and abstracts, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of bibliographic records.  

Moreover, Zotero seamlessly integrates with word processors, such as Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, and Google Docs and you can generate in-text citations and bibliographies in various styles, ensuring consistent referencing throughout your work.

EndNote  is a reference management software that helps researchers organize their sources and streamline the writing process. With EndNote, you can collect references by searching online databases or importing your existing collection. You may also organize and group references in any way that works for you and share your groups with colleagues. Additionally, you can create a formatted bibliography or format a research paper. EndNote can be a valuable tool for researchers who want to save time and effort managing their references.