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Reference Management Tools
Reference management programs (also known as citation managers or bibliographic management software) are programs that collect records or citations from research databases (indexes, catalogues, etc.) that you can then organise for your research projects. They also help you cite your research by creating bibliographies, citations, and footnotes automatically.
Why should I use a citation management tool?
- To stay organized
- To prevent transcription or typographical errors
- To ease citing and creating bibliographies
Quick Links
Citation Manager Comparison Table |
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Refworks (ProQuest) |
EndNote |
EndNote Online (Basic) |
Mendeley |
Zotero |
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Access |
Web-based |
Desktop software with an online version (EndNote Web) |
Web-based |
Desktop software, but can sync with an online account which is editable |
Zotero software with browser add-on (Firefox and Chrome). |
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Where is my database stored? |
Web-based |
Local Computer with cloud storage and syncing via EndNote Web |
Web-based |
Local computer with web based syncing between computers |
Local computer with optional web based syncing between computers |
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How does it work? |
Export from databases into Refworks or import .ris file. Extract citation information from PDFs. |
Export from databases into EndNote. Can search catalogues from within EndNote. |
Browser bookmarklet can import from many databases. Can also import using text files |
Import from many popular databases. Extract citation information from PDFs. |
Detect citations that can be captured from databases or web pages. Search and import records using PMID, DOI, or ISBN. Extract citation information from PDFs. |
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Ability to work offline |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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Cost |
Free Register with SWH email |
This is a paid service, university affiliated staff and students can access via their institution. EG: Deakin Software Library |
Free |
Free. Can upgrade for more storage space. |
Free. |
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Word-processor compatibility |
MS Word, Google Docs and Hangul, using Write-n-cite |
MS Word, OpenOffice (EndNote X3+), Pages (X4+) |
MS Word |
MS Word, Open Office, LaTex |
MS Word, Google Docs, Open Office |
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Import from Library databases |
Yes |
Direct export from specific databases |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Import citation info from web pages |
Yes, with ‘Save to Refworks’ tool installed |
No |
Yes, with bookmarklet |
Yes, with a bookmark for a limited number of sites (mostly publishers or databases) |
Yes, also archives the page and you can add annotations |
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Manage large libraries |
Easy |
Easy |
Moderate to difficult |
Moderate to difficult |
Difficult |
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Storage capacity |
5GB, No maximum number of references |
Unlimited local storage. Software purchase provides term access to unlimited storage via EndNote Web |
Limited to 50,000 citations |
Free with 1GB of web space (500 MB personal & 500 MB shared.) Storage upgrades available for a monthly fee |
Free with 300 MB of storage. Storage upgrades available for a monthly fee |
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Attach associated files (PDFs, etc.) |
Yes, and can highlight and annotate PDFs |
Yes, and can highlight and annotate PDFs |
Yes, 2 GB storage |
Yes, and can highlight and annotate PDFs |
Yes, with option to attach automatically |
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Search full text of PDFs |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
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Create group or shared libraries |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Create bibliography w/ different styles |
Yes |
Yes, hundreds of styles available. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes, limited number included by default; hundreds can be downloaded from Zotero.org |
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Edit output styles |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Difficult |
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Strengths |
-Easy to use and library provides workshops and individual support - Accessible anywhere |
- Best for organizing large collections of citations and managing PDFs - Wide variety of citation styles - Easily customized |
- Easy to work in multiple locations - Easy to share access with colleagues |
- Quick to learn with a simple interface - Good for managing PDFs and has a social network built in - Automatic citation extraction from PDFs |
- Easy to learn -Quick for collecting citations - User friendly features such as tagging, attachments, and notes |
Re:cite University of Melbourne’s guide to citing and referencing in your research and writing. Includes APA, Harvard, Vancouver, Chicago, MLA, and Cambridge styles.
Patrias K. Citing medicine: the NLM style guide for authors, editors, and publishers [Internet]. 2nd ed. Wendling DL, technical editor. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2007 [updated 2015 Oct 2] Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/citingmedicine
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