WHAT’S ACTUALLY HELPFUL?Institute for Research on Teaching and Learning

Doctoral Student Research Support

October 2013

MANAGING CITATIONS

PANELISTS

Megan Drangstveit – HALE, Dropbox/Word

Jill Morningstar – MSU Libraries

Erich Pitcher – HALE, Zotero

WHAT IS IRTL?Institute for Research on Teaching & Learning

We hope to be a valuable reference source and accommodate the busy lives of all doctoral students.

• Workshops and other activities

• Overview, writing, budgets, RCR, etc..• Sessions for groups and classes

• Sample proposals and budgets on the website

• One-on-one consultation

• Budgeting, text review

http://education.msu.edu/irtl/grad

MSU LIBRARIEShttp://education.msu.edu/irtl/grad

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Learn about citation management options, including existing software packages.

2. Identify features/functions that may assist in managing research.

3. Learn about resources at MSU to better utilize software packages and citation management sytems.

MSU LIBRARIES RESOURCES/LINKSVideo – introduction to citation management systems• http://streaming.msu.edu/storemedia/packages/libmedia/4e454afb94179/

citation_management_toolsflash.html

MSU Libraries• http://lib.msu.edu

• Courses: http://classes.lib.msu.edu/class_list.php

Comparison of Citation Management Software:

http://staff.lib.msu.edu/akepsel/CitationManagementComparisonChart.pdf• EndNote: http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/endnote/comparison

• Zotero: http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/content.php?pid=221261&sid=1836810

• Mendeley: http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/mendeley

Q & AA list of questions (below) were prepared, along with questions from audience members.

1. What software/strategies have you explored?

2. What did you (dis)like about each?

3. What made you decide on your current approach?

4. What have been some of the biggest tips / helpful hints you've learned about your method?

5. What is the cost for your approach? Is there an anticipated future cost for your method?

6. Are there any issues or anticipated challenges with this approach?

Q & A

Answers from panelists about each citation management strategy are included in the following slides, along with general tips for citation management strategies.

ZOTERO1. Ease of use between web-based (brower-based) and computer-based

programs.

2. Write-and-cite plugin with Word – connects directly to Zotero database. Browser plugin eases import of citations.

3. Free software, free updates.

4. Space limitations if storing PDFs on Zotero space – can purchase additional storage. Can link PDFs, URLs, or text.

5. Can make notations/highlights directly on PDFs/documents, notes for article.

6. Grant-funded software through George Mason U. Full-time support and community of users to support program.

7. Ease of exporting to other formats.

8. Can capture screen-shot of web-based content on date of discovery.

9. MSU Libraries has classes available: http://classes.lib.msu.eduFull Comparison Chart: http://staff.lib.msu.edu/akepsel/CitationManagementComparisonChart.pdf

MENDELEY1. Write-and-cite plugin with Word – connects directly to

Mendeley database. Browser plugin eases import of citations.

2. Free software, free updates.

3. Space limitations if storing PDFs on Mendeley space – can purchase additional storage. Can link PDFs, URLs, or text.

4. Can make notations/highlights directly on PDFs/documents, notes for article.

5. Ease of exporting to other formats.

6. Can capture screen-shot of web-based content on date of capture.

7. Easy access via smart phone/ mobile device.

8. MSU Libraries has classes available: http://classes.lib.msu.edu

Full Comparison Chart: http://staff.lib.msu.edu/akepsel/CitationManagementComparisonChart.pdf

ENDNOTE1. EndNote

1. Fee for license (~$100), updates may be fee-based.

2. Software is installed on computer.

3. Free support available from company.

2. EndNote Web

1. Free.

2. No software to install in computer, able to use anywhere.

3. Can sync between EndNote and EndNote Web.

4. Write-and-cite plugin with Word – connects directly to EndNote (Web) database.

5. Sharing features not as robust as Mendeley/Zotero. Typically used as single-user resource, not for research team.

6. MSU Libraries has classes available: http://classes.lib.msu.eduFull Comparison Chart: http://staff.lib.msu.edu/akepsel/CitationManagementComparisonChart.pdf

GOOGLE DRIVE1. Web based. Accessible anywhere, even on mobile

phone.

2. Can find your own workarounds to provide database capabilities/storage for citation management programs.

3. 15 GB Free, additional space available for purchase.

4. Can also store all written materials (drafts) in addition to sources.

5. Can be flexible with system – not reliant on particular software program.

6. Can share with other researchers.

Full Comparison Chart: http://staff.lib.msu.edu/akepsel/CitationManagementComparisonChart.pdf

DROPBOX1. Web based. Accessible anywhere, even on mobile

phone.

2. Can find your own workarounds to provide database capabilities/storage for citation management programs.

3. 2 GB Free, with option to purchase additional space.

4. Can also store all written materials (drafts) in addition to sources.

5. Can be flexible with system – not reliant on particular software program.

6. Can share with other researchers.

Full Comparison Chart: http://staff.lib.msu.edu/akepsel/CitationManagementComparisonChart.pdf

WORD1. Typically already installed on your computer – easy for

user to incorporate into work, share with other researchers.

2. Can be flexible with system – not reliant on particular software program, so you can format as you’d like.

3. Use of tables allows sorting (colums for APA citation, notes, read/unread/comments, etc) for alpha order. Can use heading types to build table of contents.

4. No worries about formatting changes when cutting/pasting. Ease of use when sharing content.

GENERAL TIPS1. No matter the system, be sure to input

the citation correctly – the software will not correct YOUR mistakes.

2. Use web plug-ins to import entries/files.

3. GoogleScholar will provide APA entry suggestion (under Cite) – just fix capitalization.

4. Think about what your colleagues use – that may be easiest for sharing and tech support.

5. If linking files to a database, be consistent with file location (don’t move them after linking) or you won’t be able to find them.

6. When searching online, search through the MSU Libraries’ proxy site. Instructions here: http://www.lib.msu.edu/dls/offcampus-access

/

7. Be sure to back up your content, no matter your approach.

8. Citation management programs may slow down computer performance.

9. Systems are like gym memberships – they are only good if you use them. Don’t use too much time with managing citations (tags, color coding, etc). Focus on getting content in correctly the first time, then do your work.

10. Software programs may not be necessary – just find something that works with your style and skills.

11. Ask questions / talk to others about what works for them, and know that it may not work for you.

THANKSInstitute for Research on Teaching and Learning2nd Floor, Erickson Hallhttp://education.msu.edu/irtl/grad

Bob Floden, Director floden@msu.edu Marcy Wallace, Associate Directorwallacem@msu.eduMegan Drangstveit, Graduate Assistantmdrangst@msu.edu