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Eldermont University Reference Management Tools Guide
Choosing the Right Citation Manager
Managing references and citations is an essential part of academic research. This guide will assist you in selecting the best citation
management tool based on your research needs. While switching between tools is possible, it becomes more cumbersome over time,
especially as you accumulate references and file attachments.
Features Common to All Citation Managers
• Each of the three recommended tools—EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero—offers the following capabilities:
• Store references in one centralized location
• Export citations directly from academic databases
• Automatically format bibliographies and citations in thousands of styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago
• Keep reading notes linked to sources
• Insert citations directly into Word and other word processors
• Attach files (e.g., PDFs) to references
Comparison of Citation Management Tools
| Feature | EndNote | Mendeley | Zotero |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cost |
Free trial (paid version required) |
Free |
Free |
|
Platform Compatibility |
Windows, Mac |
Windows, Mac, Linux |
Windows, Mac, Linux |
|
Web Syncing |
Yes (clunky) |
Yes |
Yes
|
|
Organize PDFs |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes
|
|
Annotate PDFs |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Tagging & Notes |
Collaborative Groups |
Private only |
Private and public |
|
Community Network |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Mobile App |
iPad only |
Third-party apps |
iPad, iPhone
|
|
Built-in Citation Styles |
200+ |
15 |
12 |
Tool-Specific Advantages
Why Choose EndNote?
EndNote is the most feature-rich citation manager, making it ideal for researchers who require:
• A large selection of built-in citation styles (200+)
• Advanced organization and search tools
• Direct integration with Microsoft Word
• Cloud storage for collaboration
• Support for complex citation formats and extensive libraries
EndNote is best suited for researchers working on extensive, long-term projects who need robust citation management capabilities.
Why Choose Mendeley?
Mendeley is an excellent choice for researchers whose references are primarily in PDF format:
• Built-in PDF viewer for annotation and highlighting
• Seamless import of citation records using browser extensions
• Strong academic social network for collaboration
• Integration with LaTeX for scientific writing
Mendeley is ideal for STEM researchers and those who frequently collaborate with other scholars.
Why Choose Zotero?
Zotero is the most user-friendly and versatile citation tool, offering:
• Single-click capture from a wide range of websites and databases
• Open-source development, ensuring long-term accessibility
• Easy organization and tagging of references
• Best browser extension support for capturing diverse sources
Zotero is the best option for researchers with diverse sources, including non-PDF content, and those who prefer open-source software.
| Word Processor | EndNote | Mendeley | Zotero |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Microsoft Word (Windows) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Microsoft Word (Mac) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
OpenOffice |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes
|
|
Apple Pages |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Google Docs |
Yes (limited) |
No |
Yes |
|
LibreOffice |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Getting Started with Citation Management
To begin using a citation manager, follow these steps:
1. Choose a tool based on your research needs.
2. Download and install the software from the official website:
â—‹ EndNote: https://endnote.com/
â—‹ Mendeley: https://www.mendeley.com/
â—‹ Zotero: https://www.zotero.org/
3. Create an account to enable cloud syncing and collaboration.
4. Install the browser extension to easily save references from academic databases.
5. Integrate with your word processor to seamlessly insert citations and generate bibliographies
For further assistance, contact the Eldermont University Library Support Team at library@eldermont.edu