This page provides a quick introduction to reference managers.
Referencing tools are online tools designed to help you easily create references. You will need to check that the references generated in this way are consistent with your referencing style, as inconsistencies are frequent.
Library Search
Use the citation feature to generate a reference - you will find this under the 'send to' menu when viewing the complete information about any book or journal article.
Google Scholar
Copy and paste references from the ‘cite’ tab on Google Scholar (does not include URLs).
Library databases A-Z
Many library databases have 'cite' features similar to Library Search and Google Scholar.
Microsoft Word (365)
Import references into Microsoft Word using the Researcher feature under the References tab.
Zoterobib
Generate references for hundreds of styles using a URL or ISBN.
What are reference managers?
References managers are more sophisticated reference management software (also known as citation managers or bibliographic managers) which allow you to automatically capture, store and organise references and generate a bibliography/list of references. Some also allow you to store and even annotate PDFs, and also have social networking options. Plugins for Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc will enable you to generate in-text references.
These tools work very well with articles in journals. However, not all book references will be perfectly rendered by such tools, and some sources - particularly non-academic sources - might need to be edited or entered manually.
Do I need to use a reference manager?
If you are enthusiastic about technology and like the idea of creating a personal library of research papers, you will enjoy using reference management software, and it will almost certainly be helpful to you.
PhD students and academic researchers routinely use this software. However, not all researchers use them, and most students on taught courses do not.
The most well-known software are Refworks, Endnote, Zotero and Mendeley. The key features of these are described below. Links to the products' own guides are provided below. More information is available from the tabs above.
Web-based
Subscription required (paid for by the university)
Plugins for MS Word, and Google Docs
Integrated browser, desktop and mobile app
Free Plugins for MS Word and Google Docs
300 MB free storage (is quite limited)
Zotero documentation (installation, quick start guide, etc)
Mendeley Reference Manager is web-based (Mendeley Desktop is still available but is no longer being developed)
Free Plugin for MS Word
Social networking Storage and in-app annotation of PDFs 2GB free storage (you have to pay if you want more)
Desktop and web-based versions
Subscription required for Endnote (paid for by the university)
Download from apps anywhere on university computers
Endnote Basic is free
Free Plugins for MS Word
Integration with Web of Science
EndNote basic is a more limited reference management solution that is only available online. EndNote basic users can create an online library with a maximum of 50,000 references and up to 2GB of attachments. There are two versions of EndNote basic:
EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero are not easily accessible for screen readers. MS Word's built-in Reference option is accessible but might be limited in the number of referencing styles available.
Guidance for using the Word referencing tab with NVDA and JAWS screen readers provided by Ros Walker University of St Andrews
