Post on 17-Dec-2015
Referencing without tearsthe why, the when and the how of reference management
Dr Emma CoonanResearch 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 www.flickr.com
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 www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/building-your-own-memex
• 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.
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 http://theuniversityblog.co.uk/2012/07/24/need-references/
WHEN?
Your personal knowledge base
L: ‘Knowledge base’ by Mediadeo, flickr.com, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0R: ‘Victorian mindmapped man’ by LukePDQ, flickr.com, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
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!
www.myendnoteweb.com
www.mendeley.com
http://search.lib.cam.ac.uk (for Zotero)
• Please don’t change login/password details
• Remember to email yourself useful references!