Panel discussion 10/4/2013. Zotero. Mendeley. EndNote. GoogleDrive. Dropbox. How to approach citation management, identify possible practice for managing your own research. Hosted by Institute for Research on Teaching & Learning, College of Education, Michigan State University.

1. MANAGING
CITATIONS
WHAT’S ACTUALLY
HELPFUL?
Institute for Research on Teaching
and Learning
Doctoral Student Research
Support
October 2013

2. PANELISTS
Megan Drangstveit – HALE, Dropbox/Word
Jill Morningstar – MSU Libraries
Erich Pitcher – HALE, Zotero

3. 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

4. http://education.msu.edu/irtl/grad
MSU LIBRARIES

5. 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.

6. MSU LIBRARIES
RESOURCES/LINKS
Video – introduction to citation management systems
•
http://streaming.msu.edu/storemedia/packages/libmedia/4e454afb94
179/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

7. Q&A
A 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?

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

9. ZOTERO
1. Ease of use between web-based (brower-based) and computerbased 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.edu
Full Comparison Chart:
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/akepsel/CitationManagementComparisonChart.pdf

10. MENDELEY
1. 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

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

12. GOOGLE DRIVE
1. 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

13. DROPBOX
1. 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

14. WORD
1. 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.

15. GENERAL TIPS
1.
No matter the system, be sure to
input the citation correctly – the
software will not correct YOUR
mistakes.
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.
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.
10. Software programs may not be
necessary – just find something that
If linking files to a database, be
works with your style and skills.
consistent with file location (don’t
move them after linking) or you won’t 11. Ask questions / talk to others about
be able to find them.
what works for them, and know that it
may not work for you.
When searching online, search
through the MSU Libraries’ proxy
site. Instructions here:
http://www.lib.msu.edu/dls/offcampus
-access/
5.
6.

16. THANKS
Institute for Research on Teaching and Learning
2nd Floor, Erickson Hall
http://education.msu.edu/irtl/grad
Bob Floden, Director
Marcy Wallace, Associate Director
Megan Drangstveit, Graduate Assistant
floden@msu.edu
wallacem@msu.edu
mdrangst@msu.edu