Referencing without tears the why, the when and the how of reference management Dr Emma Coonan Research Skills Librarian, Cambridge University Library Cambridge University Library

What’s in this session Tips on good reference management practice – and why to bother Software tasters: o EndNote(Web) o Zotero o Mendeley

© evaxebra WHY?

Outsourcing your memory "[I do not] carry such information in my mind since it is readily available.... “The value of a college education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think.” Albert Einstein via

Keep track Keep your sources safe Keep sane … Referencing: boring but important

Löfström, Erika. “‘Does Plagiarism Mean Anything? LOL.’ Students’ Conceptions of Writing and Citing.” Journal of Academic Ethics 9.4 (2011): 257–275.

Ceci n’est pas une référence (This is not a reference)

Miller & DeJoy, 2010

“ Referencing helps create a map of knowledge, a web of pathways in knowledge; and each researcher helps extend that knowledge.... referencing multiplies knowledge exponentially.” Monash University Learning Support via

WHEN?

Your personal knowledge base L: ‘Knowledge base’ by Mediadeo, flickr.com, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0flickr.com R: ‘Victorian mindmapped man’ by LukePDQ, flickr.com, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0flickr.com

Time tip Bad time of day for creativity, synthesis, original thought = good time of day for data management... o proofreading o weeding references o organising folders and tags

HOW?

Have a system that’s … Consistent Safe (back-up-able) Flexible enough to meet your needs Compatible with your workflow

Word file or spreadsheet

Reference management software

EndNote: for systematic researchers (worker ants) Pros: Clear display Flexible and powerful Hundreds of output styles Cons: Time-consuming to learn Cost Single machine access

EndNoteWeb: basic ‘starter’ software Pros: Free (but expires!) Web access Nothing to download Cons: Least flexible/customizable Limited storage space Tied to Web of Knowledge

Zotero: for impulsive researchers (squirrels) Pros: 1-click saving! Web access Easy interfacing with other packages Cons: Requires download Cluttered visual display

Mendeley: for gregarious researchers (meerkats) Pros: Free Web access/cloud backup File management Cons: Two-part setup Requires download Bias towards scientific content

Reference management software Pro: Powerful organisational tools Con: Not a magic bullet

Explore! (for Zotero) Please don’t change login/password details Remember to yourself useful references!