Using Reference Management Software
Reference managing software allows you to store and organise all the references you use for your assignments keeping them in your own personal database or library.
It allows you to:
- search easily for a particular reference to which you need to refer using details such as ISBN or title
- make and save your own notes about the sources you add
- print or save a list of references
- insert citations into your document and automatically produce a reference list / bibliography in whatever style you require.
Benefits - Saves time and stores your references on the go.
The benefits of using this type of software are:
- you can import references with a click from databases, websites or the library catalogue
- it saves you time, especially when you have a number of assignments to do.
Exceptions to note with some references:
Both Zotero and Mendeley do not provide referencing templates for some visual sources:
- academic posters
- social media posts
- streaming services
- images
You will need to enter the information on a blank template on these referencing platforms. Copy the referencing information from the London Met Harvard Referencing for those types of research formats.
Referencing Software
Zotero and Mendeley are free to use and you can get help with their use from your Academic Liaison Librarian.
And if you want something simpler, like a reference generator, why not give Zoterobib a try?!
