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Chemistry: Citation Management

What is citation management software?

EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero are examples of citation software.

Citation software allows you to ...

  • Keep track of all of your citations
  • Save and organize PDFs (and other files associated with a citation)
  • Import citations from databases like PubMed, SciFinder, PsycINFO, and Web of Science.
  • Format citations when writing papers in whatever citation style that you need
  • Take notes on articles and save them with the citation

Workshops and Links to Guides

Sign up for a workshop            Guides for Auburn University

       EndNote                                 EndNote
       Mendeley                                Mendeley
       Zotero                                     Zotero

Overview

 Which citation manager is best for you? The links and table below can help you decide, but here are a few other questions to consider:

    • What do your colleagues use? You will have someone to turn to for help.
    • Is ease of use all important? Zotero is a bit easier to use.
    • Is cost critical? Zotero is free and open access with additional storage for a fee. Mendeley has a free version.
    • Do you save PDFs for every reference? Zotero can automatically download PDFs when available.
    • Is managing websites important? Zotero excels at this.
    • Is full functionality important? EndNote is more powerful and customizable.
    • Do you plan to spend many years in academia? EndNote is best for large reference collections.
    • Are journal abbreviations used in your preferred citation style(s)? EndNote handles this best.
 

EndNote

EndNote Basic

Mendeley

Zotero

 Format

Desktop software for PC and Mac

Web-based

Web-based

Web-based and standalone

 Cost

Available in AU Install

Free with 2 GB free online file storage. More file storage comes with purchase of software.

Free and fee versions

Free with 300 MB free online file storage. More file storage starts at $20/year.

 How to    get it

AU Install

www.myendnoteweb.com

www.mendeley.com

www.zotero.org

 Ease of    use

Moderate learning curve

Easier than EndNote

Fairly easy to learn

Fairly easy to learn

 Word  processors

Word and Open Office

Word

Word and Open Office

Word and Open Office

 Attach  PDFs?

Yes

Not on the free version

Yes

Yes

 Share  references?

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

Comparisons by other universities

     EndNote vs. RefWorks vs. Zotero Vs. Mendeley (UC Berkeley)
     EndNote vs. Zotero vs. Mendeley (MIT)

 

Citation Manuals