SETU Carlow Harvard Referencing: Reference Management software

While it is important to know how to reference effectively, there is reference management software available that can make the task easier. However, you will need to understand how references are formatted so that you can check the output of the software. You will also need to understand how citations work so that you can figure out where to put your references in your text.

SETU Carlow recommends using Endnote, which is available to download from the IT Services Blackboard page. 

Please have a look at some of the other options available. 

What Reference Management Software should I use?

Each reference management software has pros and cons, as shown in the table below:

Zotero 

Zotero is useful for undergraduates or people interested only using the software to cite information in an assignment. The layout is easy to understand, and you can drag and drop files easily. A plugin for all browsers allows you to grab a citation from a webpage or article you are reading without moving out of the browser page. However, it lacks the functionality to search for articles within the software itself, meaning it is less of an effective tool for research. Still, its uncomplicated design means it is a good software for undergrads focused on just the citation aspects.

Mendeley

Mendeley is useful for undergraduates and postgrads as it provides a plugin like Zotero and the ability to search for articles and information on the same platform. Similarly, it provides a desktop application that allows a similar drag-and-drop function as Zotero. However, its dual functionality and additional options make it a little more complicated than Zotero but still accessible, so it is recommended for more experienced undergraduates or post-graduate researchers. 

Endnote 

Endnote is the most fully featured reference management software, and the college provides access to its premium version. With this it both allows the searching of information like Mendeley while allowing the use of analysis software for the use of literature reviews and the like. It also allows the creation of a team space to share work and annotations for a group. While also allowing deep customisation through tags search criteria and rules for organising references. It is a powerful tool for postgrad and researchers; however, it is a bit complicated, and if you are looking for just citations, the other two options will suit you better. 

It should be noted that there is always a limitation to the use of referencing software that you need to keep in mind: 

• Even if you have the setting for the Harvard Referencing style, you will need to make slight adjustments to the outputs to meet the requirements of the SETU Harvard Referencing Style, the rules of which are documented in Cite it right Tenth Edition.
• The software isn't perfect and may occasionally produce the wrong reference, so you must know the referencing style to ensure the references are right. 
• When you upload a document into the reference management software, it may take the wrong information or pick it up incorrectly. Check to see if anything is missing. You can click on the record to change it. 
• You may need to manually enter information into the software. For example, if it does not pick up the journal title. Allow time for proofreading and checking over references.