Introduction to Citation Management

Essential tools for 21st century research

February 2, 2016John PellHunter Libraries

Session Outcomes• Identify citation management software supported at Hunter

College Libraries• Describe basic citation management competencies• Describe differences in user base among citation

management networks• Describe unique features of Hunter-supported citation

management systems• Identify data formats used to transfer citation data and

publish stylized citations• Describe important considerations for citation management

when using AMA style

WHAT SOFTWARE IS SUPPORTED AT HUNTER?

Citation Management at Hunter:

Citation Software at Hunter

Here’s the stuff!

Citation Software at Hunter

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE ABLE TO DO WITH A CITATION MANAGER?

Citation Management Competencies:

Basic Citation Management Competencies

• Can import citation data from a website or database

• Can edit citation data for accuracy and completeness

• Can publish citation data in stylized formats• Can integrate citation data with a word

processor to insert in-text citations and lists of works cited

Basic Citation Management Competencies (continued)

• Can evaluate the social networks of citation managers in relation to different research interests

• Can collaborate with other authors and researchers using citation managers

Advanced Citation Management Competencies

• Can export citation data in formats that allow import into other citation managers or spreadsheets

• Can edit citation output styles • Can select/produce the best combination of

sources and tools to import complete citation data

WHAT DO THESE COMPETENCIES LOOK LIKE IN ACTION?

Applications

Importing from a website or database

Citation managers usually have some version of a web importer (usually

javascript you save as a bookmark.) You’ll need

to find an save it.

Importing from a website or database

Some resources have built-in options for

transferring your citation data (EBSCO and Google

Scholar are shown.)

Evaluating import capability

Check the documentation for lists of supported cites. Zotero’s directory of 479 web translators seems the most extensive. You

should also evaluate performance with the sites most

important to you.

Evaluating User Base

Search the user and group directories for key words of interest to you. A keyword

search for environmental health is shown here.

Evaluating User Base

Endnote: 36 Hits

Zotero: 15K+ Hits

Mendeley: 94 Hits

Refworks: 1 Hit

Considerations when using AMA style

Your source may not have all the data you need to accurately

cite in AMA style. Note the missing journal abbreviation

and DOI for this title in Google Scholar.

Considerations when using AMA style

Here’s the same title in PubMed.

Compare Outputs from different sources

• Rooney AA, Boyles AL, Wolfe MS, Bucher JR, Thayer KA.

Systematic review and evidence integration for literature-based environmental health science assessments. Environmental Health Perspectives (Online). 2014;122(7):711.

• Rooney AA, Boyles AL, Wolfe MS, Bucher JR, Thayer KA. Systematic review and evidence integration for literature-based environmental health science assessments. Environ Health Perspect. 2014;122(7):711-718. doi:10.1289/ehp.1307972.

Moving Citation Data

Moving citation data usually starts with creating a text file in a certain format. RIS and BibTeX are the most widely supported.

You may need to specify the format if it isn’t recognized

automatically. Certain combinations of citation mangers have facilitated

transfer. For example. Mendely => RefWorks

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?Comprehension Check

Check Yourself

• What citation managers are supported at Hunter College?

Check Yourself

• How would you describe the basic competencies of citation management?

Check Yourself

• Which citation network seems to have the highest number of users with interest in environmental health?

Check Yourself

• Which citation manger has the largest collection of supported sites for its web importer?

Check Yourself

• Where should you try to import your citation data when you might be using AMA style?

Check Yourself

• What are some of the most widely supported formats for transferring data between citation managers?

Check Yourself

• Who can you go to for questions about citation management?