Citation managers are software tools that help you find, save, and organize the information sources (articles, books, etc.) you need. They do much more than simply generate a citation in a particular style, though they can do that, too! (For accuracy, double-check citations with a style guide.)
A citation manager is great to use when you are working on a large writing project, like a dissertation or other capstone project, for which you need to keep track of many sources.
How do I decide which citation manager to use?
You can find lots of reviews, blog posts, articles, etc. out there about people comparing citation managers. Here's one page that covers the reasons you would choose Zotero, Mendeley, or Endnote. Here is another that compares several different tools.
Cost is certainly a factor in choosing a citation manager. Fortunately, free options like Zotero and Mendeley are robust and easy to use. You may find that a fee-based tool like EndNote is not necessary for you.
About Mendeley
Mendeley is a free, online citatation management tool.
You can download Mendeley here: www.mendeley.com/
Mendeley Webinar
This recorded webinar covers many Mendeley basics. After clicking play, click the timestamp in the YouTube description to jump to selected topics.
Mendeley Details
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Web based |
Can sync with online account |
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Must be online |
No, there is a desktop version |
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Cost |
Free for basic account: 2 GB Option to pay for additional cloud storage ($55/year for 5 GB, $110/year for 10 GB, $165/year for unlimited) |
|
Operating System |
Windows, Mac, Linux |
|
Mobile Apps |
Yes, Mendeley created its own iPad/iPhone app, and Android apps |
|
Word-processor compatibility |
MS Word, Open Office, LaTex |
|
Export data to other citation managers |
Yes |
|
Import citation from databases |
Yes |
|
Import citation info from web pages |
Yes |
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Types of items that can be saved |
Book/article citations, PDFs, webpages (URLs + snapshots), video, images |
Zotero is a free, online citatation management tool. You can download Zotero here: https://www.zotero.org/
Zotero Details
|
Web based |
Can sync with online account |
|
Must be online |
No, there is a desktop version |
|
Cost |
Free for basic account: 300 MB Option to pay for additional cloud storage ($20/year for 2 GB, $60/year for 6 GB, $120/year for unlimited) |
|
Operating System |
Windows, Mac, Linux |
|
Mobile Apps |
Yes, created by 3rd parties. For info, go to http://www.zotero.org/support/mobile |
|
Word-processor compatibility |
MS Word, Open Office, Google Docs |
|
Export data to other citation managers |
Yes |
|
Import citation from databases |
Yes |
|
Import citation info from web pages |
Yes, also archives the page and you can add annotations |
|
Types of items that can be saved |
Book/article citations, PDFs, webpages (URLs + snapshots), video, images |
Tutorial
The Library staff supports students and faculty in their use of EndNote, but the Library does not provide access to the desktop version of EndNote.
Access to EndNote Online is available for students and faculty through the library's Web of Science subscription. Access Web of Science, and then click Products in the upper right. Select EndNote. You will then need to register your account, or log in if you have already registered an account.
Contact us by email at library@usa.edu with your EndNote questions.
If you are a current student or faculty member of the University, you can earn a certificate of completion by launching the Scholarly Skills Community on Blackboard and completing the following module:
- Citation Managers (under Formatting and Referencing)
