Keeping track of your sources (Expert Edition)

Advantages of reference management programs

Extensive bibliographies usually accumulate, especially for longer academic papers. At a certain point, it might become difficult to keep track of the sources, to cite from them consistently, and to create a complete list of references. Manage your sources with a reference management program! You can systematically organize reading materials, manage citations, generate references using the desired citation style and create a list of references.

Regardless of the program you choose, you’ll initially need to spend some time getting used to working with it and then continually keeping it up to date. Particularly at the beginning, working with a reference management program means investing time and effort. However, if you dedicate yourself to research in a certain field or if you plan on writing a longer thesis, this effort will pay off. Reference management programs help you keep an overview and facilitate scientifically correct writing with their numerous functions.

What reference management programs are there?

Most programs have interfaces connected to common word processing programs, which allow you to insert the correct citation directly into your document. In addition, extensive databases are often connected. You can use them to find relevant reading materials and import information on relevant articles directly into your personal database. Some programs even offer tools for project management or collaborative work.

Here is an overview of our top 5 free literature management programs:

Citavi:

Apart from collecting bibliographic information, Citavi also allows you to organize it according to your own categories and keywords, as well as to annotate and evaluate it. An interface to word processing programs such as Microsoft Word allows you to directly insert references in your desired citation style. There is also the option to work on a database together with fellow students or colleagues and save it to the Citavi cloud.

EndNote:

EndNote is particularly popular in scientific and medical disciplines. It is connected to a large research database that allows you to search and access online articles in full text. You can read and evaluate PDF files directly in the program, too. There are interfaces for EndNote to the common word processing programs as well as the possibility to collaborate in a team.

Zotero:

A big plus of Zotero is that it is open source, completely free for everyone and easy to use. Thus, it is worthwhile even for smaller papers. The focus of Zotero is on the collection, organization and citation of literature. It is not only available as a desktop version, but also web-based, so it can be used on different devices. Moreover, Zotero can be used for collaborative work.

Mendeley:

Mendeley focuses on sharing and group work. There are extensive functions that facilitate and improve collaboration. To a certain point, Mendeley is free of charge. It is available as desktop and web versions, as well as a reference manager. The range of functions varies depending on which version you are working with.

JabRef:

JabRef is also free and open source. In addition, there is no limit to the number of stored entries. It works even with many entries and offers various functions for sorting and organizing references. JabRef can be used on all operating systems but works with the BibTeX format. It can, therefore, be well combined with the text typesetting program LaTeX.

Which program suits you best?

In order to choose a reference management program, you should consider what is important to you. Ask yourself:

• Which operating system or word processing program do I use?
• Do I want/need to access my database from multiple devices?
• Do I research in a team or by myself?

Find a reference management program that suits you and your needs because you’ll spend a lot of time with it.

Test yourself: Do you know how to keep track of your sources?

What is one of the main advantages of a reference management system?

1. You can organize your citations
2. You can use it as a photo album
3. You can manage your financial matters

    Solution:

   A – You can organize your citations.

When does it make sense to use a reference management system?

1. If you love to organize your life
2. If you want to do research in a certain field for a longer period or are planning a longer thesis
3. If your parents tell you to use one

    Solution:

   B – Particularly at the beginning, working with a reference management program means investing time and effort. However, if you dedicate yourself to research in a certain field or if you plan on writing a longer thesis, this effort will pay off.

What fields like to use EndNote?

1. Scientific and medical disciplines
2. Humanities
3. Linguistics

    Solution:

   A – Scientific and medical disciplines.

What does Mendeley help you with?

1. Finding high quality online sources
2. Becoming more diligent
3. Sharing information and improving group work

    Solution:

   C – Sharing information and improving group work.

What should you avoid when using reference management programs?

1. Telling all your friends about your favorite reference management program
2. Spreading your sources across multiple reference management programs
3. Spending too much money

    Solution:

   B – Spreading your sources across multiple reference management programs will probably lead to chaos and confusion. Focus on one reference management program to keep track of your sources.