Reference management systems (citation mangers) - Zotero basics and other paper tracking advice

Reference management systems (citation mangers) are life savers! They’re how to get your references to stick around - in one place, which is searchable, add- and remove-able and insertable! Because, although it is possible to manually make citations and reference sections, it’s definitely not practical! So there are lots of helpful tools often called “reference managers” like Mendeley (a free program I used to use), Zotero (what I now use, also free), Endnote (not free), and ReadCube Papers (not free). These keep track of all the papers, books, etc. you think you might possibly want to cite (or at least remember you read) in the future. They download all the information required for citing a work you tell them to (through a browser plug-in, title search, etc.). And then, later, when you ask them to, they’ll provide references formatted in the style you ask them to.  
PDF version of pics: bit.ly/refmana...
 
There are also some website-only services like EasyBib, Scribbr, Bibliography.com, zoterobib, etc. that will give you basic citations (though often just in 1-3 basic formats). Those can be good for in high school or undergrad when you are just doing a class report with a small number of citations you’re probably only going to need to use for that one assignment. But once you’re doing your own research projects, it’s time for one of these more serious ones where you actually download software, so there’s a stand-alone desktop version (that works when you don’t have wifi) that actually saves everything for you and has way more functionality. These ones I’m talking about often also have browser extensions and/or web versions that sync to your desktop one.  
More here from this past post: blog form: bit.ly/referenc...
But here's an update:
Finally made the switch from Mendeley to Zotero…
Rationale:
1) It's what most of my students use
2) It integrates with Google Docs
3) I got access to a group library of MDH articles and
4) There's an iPad app
The transfer ended up being ridiculously easy because there’s an option to import from Mendeley!
So far, I’m liking it. But you find what works for you. The important thing is just to use it!
Additionally, I recommend you keep a spreadsheet to keep track of key information from each paper. Here’s a template I like to use bit.ly/refmana...
More resources:
Use of a reference manager program (e.g. Mendeley, Zotero)
bit.ly/referen... & • Mendeley and other ref... Mendeley and other reference management tools + tips for finding & managing the correct references!
Finding scientific papers (PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, etc.)
bit.ly/organiz... & • Finding, organizing, r... Finding, organizing, reading, & taking notes on scientific papers when starting a new project
Finding & differentiating primary literature (research articles) and review articles
And reading and taking notes on both!
spreadsheet for taking notes: bit.ly/litspre...
Tracking down references
Using InterLibrary Loan to request papers through your library
bit.ly/interli... & • Quick tip: use interli... Quick tip: use interlibrary loan to access materials you think you can’t access
Links to download:
Zotero (free): www.zotero.org/
Mendeley (free): www.mendeley.c...
ReadCube papers (subscription): www.papersapp....
EndNote (one time purchase): endnote.com/
        
more about all sorts of things: #365DaysOfScience All (with topics listed) 👉 bit.ly/2OllAB0 or search blog: thebumblingbioc...                      
                        
#scicomm #biochemistry #molecularbiology #biology #sciencelife #science #realtimechem

[@davidberrios5481]

I’m starting graduate school this year and having this tutorial was very helpful! Thank you for mentoring so many of us!

[@thebumblingbiochemist]

Soooo happy I could help! Best of luck on your exciting journey!

[@user-kt3lc6rr8u]

this is so helpful!!! thank u!!!

[@thebumblingbiochemist]

So glad it's helpful!

[@MohanSai26]

❤