Skip to Main Content
Addlestone Library is open to the College of Charleston community and affiliates via card access. Visitors may access Addlestone Library Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, and must present a government issued ID and sign in upon entry.

BIOL 700 Research and Thesis: Citation Management Software

This guide offers advanced tips and resources for acing your thesis research

Citation Management

Gather. Organize. Cite.

An introduction to citation management software.


Gather and organize information   →   Integrate citations as you write    →   Format to your chosen style guide.

Download

Zotero

300 MB free online citation/document storage storage

Mendeley

2GB free online citation/document storage

Create online account
↓
Download desktop software
↓
Get the appropriate browser integration
↓
Get MS Word plugin

Configure

Synchronization with online account

 

Full text downloads

Synchronize* with online account as needed, especially after downloading citations from the Web.

*Mendeley requires you to sign into your online account whenever using the desktop software, so syncing is always available.

Gather Citations

Drag and drop PDFs into Zotero desktop*

*Depending upon the PDF metadata, Zotero may or may not be able to extract citation data.

 

 

Use Zotero Connector as you
search/browse online
(Keep Zotero desktop open to download citations)

 

 

 

The Zotero Connector may look different or be placed differently in some browsers

  • Import citations in citation-formatted files
    (e.g. BibTex, RIS)
  • Enter citation data directly for unusual items

Drag and drop PDFs into Mendeley desktop*

*Depending upon the PDF metadata, Mendeley may or may not be able to extract citation data.

 

 

Use Mendeley Web Importer as you
search/browse online
(Imports into your web account. Sync to move to Mendeley desktop)

 

 

The Mendeley Web Importer may look different or be placed differently in some browsers

 

  • Import citations in citation-formatted files
    (e.g. BibTex, RIS)
  • Enter citation data directly for unusual items

Organize Citations

Tag items into "folders" *

*Delete item = delete it from everywhere
Remove item from folder = untag from folder

 

 

View and annotate/highlight PDFs in your
PDF viewer*

*Foxit Reader is a free PDF viewer with annotation features

Tag items into "folders" *

*Delete item = delete it from everywhere
Remove item from folder = untag from folder

 

 

View and annotate/highlight PDFs within Mendeley

 

Cite Sources

Integrates with MS Word and Libre

Has its own 'Zotero' tab in the Word ribbon

 

 

Choose citations from your library and Insert



 

 

Add your bibliography when you've
finished writing

Integrates with MS Word and Libre

Found in the 'References' tab in the Word ribbon

 

 

Choose citations from your library and Insert

 

 

Add your bibliography when you've
finished writing

Choose/change style

Add many other styles from the Word plugin

 

 

Transform citations and bibliography
between styles

Add many other styles from the Word plugin

 

 

Transform citations and bibliography
between styles

Word to the wise!

Citation software isn't infallible!

  • Needs accurate input
  • Needs precise data formats
  • Where you cite from matters

You must still be well acquainted with your citation style!

Workshop Activity

Now it's your turn.

Download the MS Word document below, in which you'll find instructions to practice using your citation management software. It is formatted with placeholders for you to cite-while-you-write and to add a bibliography.