Library Resources for Teaching Online

Citation management software is essential to citation formatting. It is also an important tool to organize the articles, book chapters and other resources that you have collected.  At the beginning, it may be time-consuming to learn how to use the citation management software.  However, it will save you time and efforts when you want to include in-text citations and compile a bibliography or works cited page at the end. 

Some popular citation management software include RefWorks, EndNote, Zotero and Mendeley.  Which one should you use?  Here are some factors for you to consider:

1. Cost of the software

RefWorks and Endnote are both available at no cost to Rutgers faculty and students. Once you create an account with RefWorks or Endnote, you will continue to have access to newer versions of the software, even after you leave Rutgers.  Zotero and Mendeley have free versions with limited storage space. In short, all of these products are free for you to use.

2.  Storage space

RefWorks and Endnote allow you to have large amounts of storage space.  RefWorks allows you to have 100GB.  Endnote X8 allows users to have unlimited storage capacity.  Zotero and Mendeley require a subscription fee in order to obtain additional storage capacity.  Many users choose to integrate citation management software with third-party cloud storage services such as DropBox.

3.  Integration with Microsoft Word

When you integrate the plug-in or add-on of citation management software with Microsoft Word, you will find it very convenient to insert in-text citations and generate a bibliography.  RefWorks, Endnote, Zotero and Mendeley all provide this feature without additional cost.

4.  Collaboration with your peers

Before deciding on which citation management software for your writing project, take some time and find out what your peers are using.  You may find yourself working on a project with other people.  It will be easier if you and your team are using the same citation management software.  You can then share citations seamlessly.

In short, all these major citation management software share similar features.  Don't hesitate to download the software and try it out.  You will definitely find one you like!