Mendeley
Go to the Mendeley page at https://www.mendeley.com
For more information on Mendeley check out the Mendeley Research Guide
Content on this guide was originally created by Kellen Maluski and licensed by Sarah Lawrence College under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License and adapted here for SWMS 410
Mendeley provides the ability to save references from most library catalogs (including USC's) and databases by RIS Files
Additional ways to import:
After downloading the Web Importer you can add resources from databases and webpages to Mendeley.
Keep in mind that if a resource requires a subscription for access, Mendeley will only import the citation and not the full text.
Watch the Mendeley Minute on this page for details on dragging and dropping PDFs into Mendeley.
It's easy to create a bibliography from your Mendeley library.
Mendeley offers word processing plugins for Word. The plugin adds a Mendeley toolbar to your word processor that allows you to add citations to your document while you write.
To add a citation, click the first button ("Insert Citation") on the toolbar. Search for the reference you want to cite and press Enter. Mendeley will add the citation at your cursor.
At the end of your paper, click the third button ("Insert Bibliography"). Your bibliography will appear, and new citations will be added automatically. Change bibliographic styles with the last button on the toolbar ("Set Doc Prefs").
Sync Your Library: If you're regularly using more than one computer in your research, Mendeley sync feature can keep your library up to date on all of them.
Adding PDF's
- Drag and drop a PDF directly into your Mendeley Desktop display
- Drag and drop a file of PDFs directly into your Mendeley Desktop display
- Create a watched folder
- What is a watched folder?
-
- You pick a folder on your desktop to save PDFs into
- Mendeley automatically imports those PDFs once they are saved
On a PC:
Go to your Mendeley Desktop and:
- Click Tools → Options → Watched Folders
- Check box(es) next to the Folder(s) that you wish to have watched
On a Mac:
Go to your Mendeley Desktop and:
- Click Preferences → Watched Folders
- Check box(es) next to the Folder(s) that you wish to have watched
- Add a PDF to an existing citation
- Double click (open) the record you wish to add the PDF to
- Under Files, in the record, select Add File
- Browse, select the file, and double click to add
Watch the Mendeley Minute on this page for details on dragging and dropping PDFs into Mendeley.
RefWorks
RefWorks is a Web-based citation manager that allows you to import references from text files, web sites or online databases. You can use RefWorks to format a paper and a bibliography in seconds. (First time users will use your USC email to create an account).
Checkout the RefWorks LibGuide for more information
Zotero
Go to the Zotero Download page at Zotero.org
Click the Zotero for Firefox link.
When you see the message "Firefox prevented this site from asking you to install software on your computer," click Allow.
Click Install Now, and Zotero will download and install. Restart Firefox. If you're using Safari or Internet Chrome you will need to download the Standalone version of Zotero.
Content on this guide was originally created by Jason Puckett and licensed by Georgia State University Library under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License and adapted here for SWMS 410
Zotero provides the ability to save references from most library catalogs (including USC's) and databases, with one click. If Zotero detects that you're looking at a book or article on a catalog, database, or other compatible site, you'll see a book or page icon appear in the utility bar of your browser. Just click the icon and Zotero will automatically save the citation to your library. If you'd like to see additional options for saving - click the arrow next to the icon. If you are using an older version of Firefox, you may see the icon directly in the URL bar on your browser.
After clicking the Zotero icon, you'll see it save to your library in the bottom right hand corner of your browser window.
Zotero can't automatically capture citation info from some web pages, but you can still add them to your Zotero library.
Click the Zotero button to access Zotero's controls and expand the Zotero pane. Click the page button (to the right of the green plus sign) to save a link to the page. This will save a new "web page" item to your library. You can add information about the author, etc., if you wish.
It's easy to create a bibliography from your Zotero library.
Select the references or collections you want to include. Hold the control key and click to select multiple items. Right-click one of the selected items and choose Create Bibliography.
Choose the bibliographic style you want, select Copy to Clipboard, click OK and paste into your word processor.
Zotero offers word processing plugins for Word and OpenOffice. The plugin adds a Zotero toolbar to your word processor that allows you to add citations to your document while you write.
To add a citation, click the first button ("Insert Citation") on the toolbar. Search for the reference you want to cite and press Enter. Zotero will add the citation at your cursor.
At the end of your paper, click the third button ("Insert Bibliography"). Your bibliography will appear, and new citations will be added automatically. Change bibliographic styles with the last button on the toolbar ("Set Doc Prefs").
Sync Your Library: If you're regularly using more than one computer in your research, Zotero's sync feature can keep your library up to date on all of them. Zotero can store a copy of your library on the Zotero.org server and check it for updates whenever you open your library on a different computer. All your computers must be running the same version of Zotero.
First, set up a (free, of course) Zotero.org user account.
Then: Open Zotero preferences (via the gear menu) and select the Sync tab. Enter your Zotero user name and password. Check the "sync automatically" box. Check both boxes under File Syncing and choose Zotero storage for My Library. This will sync your PDF attachments as well as citations.
Click the green circular arrow button at the top right corner of the Zotero window. Zotero will upload your library to the server.
Find-it at USC: You've probably seen the Find it @ USC button in some article databases that allows you to locate the full text of an article online. Zotero allows you to use the same feature. To set up Zotero to access the Find it @ USC server, click the gear button on the Zotero toolbar and choose Preferences and paste this link into the "Resolver:" https://zb5lh7ed7a.search.serialssolutions.com/
Add Additional Citation Styles to Zotero:
Zotero comes with the most common bibliographic styles, but many more are available to download.
To install a style (Firefox):
- Go to the Zotero Style Repository page in Firefox.
- Search for the name of the style you need.
- Click the Install link next to the style, then the Install button to confirm.