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Citation management tools allow you to download citations from various websites and databases, then store and organize the citations electronically, These tools allow you to format references in the appropriate citation style (APA, MLA, etc.), and some citation management tools even allow you to share references with other researchers.
Citation management tools allow you to:
This guide will help you determine which citation management tool is right for you!
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I need to: |
Select: |
Why: |
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…work from multiple computers or locations. |
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Zotero saves your citation library to your local computer, but syncs with multiple computers so you can work from home, work, or school. Mendeley is a program that lives on your local computer, but syncs with a web account.
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…work without an Internet connection. |
Zotero, Mendeley and EndNote store your citation libraries locally on your computer. |
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…save web pages and import citations from sites such as Amazon or Flickr. |
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Zotero allows you to easily save snapshots of web pages and annotate them within your citation library.
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…collaborate on group project or share my citations with others. |
Zotero allows you to share your citations through shared folders -- you can give individuals or groups permissions to add and edit the citations in the shared folder. Mendeley allows you to share citations and documents with a group of up to 2 other users, or create a public reading list that is open to all.
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Adapted from Pennsylvania State University Libraries: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/lls/choose_citation_mgr.html
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Criteria |
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Web based? |
Yes, works with Firefox; connectors for Chrome & Safari available |
Not primarily, but can sync with online account |
Yes |
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Must be online? |
No |
No |
No |
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Word Processing compatibility? |
MS Word, Open Office, Google Docs |
MS Word, Open Office,LaTex |
MS Word |
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Import from databases? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Import citation info from web pages? |
Yes,also archives pages and allows annotation |
Yes, with bookmarks for select sites |
Yes, with Web Capture tool |
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Storage capacity? |
Unlimited local storage & data syncing; 100MB free Zotero file syncing, larger storage available for purchase |
Unlimited local storage & data cyncing; 1GB personal and 100MB shared online space, larger storage available for purchase |
Limited to 10,000 citations |
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Cost? |
Free basic account; additional cost for increased online storage |
Free basic account; additional cost for increased online storage |
Free to CMU users |
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Attach files? |
Yes, option to attached automatically |
Yes, with highlighting and annotating |
Yes, with highlighting and annotating |
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Search full text of PDFs? |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Create groups or shared libraries? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Create bibliography in different styles? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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Automatic citation extraction from PDFs? |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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Works on a mobile device? |
Yes, Zotero mobile apps for iOS and Android |
Yes, Mendeley Lite available free from iTunes app store |
Yes, limited functionality in EndNote Basic Mobile |
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Other features? |
Sync library to multiple computers; use tags to organize/search |
Sync library to multiple computers; sync with Zotero library |
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Adapted from Pennsylvania State University Libraries: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/lls/choose_citation_mgr.html
