Reference management software
Reference management software helps support both students and researchers in their academic writing. Regardless of whether you are writing a short piece or an original scientific article, you will need to refer to published research in accordance with a specific citation style. Done manually, this is both a complicated and time-consuming activity.
A private secretary? Yes, that would be one way to describe reference management software.
In essence, using reference management software is about systematically gathering, organising, reading and citing the published literature as you study and conduct research. By creating a system for doing so, you will above all save yourself time and avoid having to do the same job twice. Hopefully, systematically gathering the literature in this manner will also make the research process more structured and transparent. Ultimately, this system may also prevent inadvertent plagiarism.
A reference management software helps you:
- collect references to articles, books, reports, etc.,
- save and organise references in a library,
- import references into your text in Word, and
- create correct citations and reference lists consistent with various citation styles.
EndNote
EndNote is a stand-alone piece of software that can be downloaded to your computer; currently, you download version 20 of EndNote. The paid-for version of this software, as opposed to the simpler online version, has greater functionality, performance and flexibility. It is mainly used by doctoral students and researchers. EndNote also has an iPad app.
If you are employed at KI and have questions about EndNote, contact the license coordinator at your department, and if you belong to a department within Coordinated IT, you can also read more about how to order a license via Wisum. There is no general EndNote license for KI, as exists at other universities. To a certain extent, this reflects an ambition to be software neutral; in addition, it ensures that the individual researcher or department can decide which software to use.
EndNote 21 guide
Most things you need to know about EndNote can be found in our EndNote 21 guide.
Related links
- Are you using the previous version EndNote use the EndNote 20 guide.
- Plenty of information is available on the EndNote website. Here you can also download style templates for thousands of different journals.
- If you would like to buy EndNote for your personal use, turn to the company Alfasoft
EndNote Online
EndNote Online is, as its name suggests, a cloud-based version of EndNote, and can currently be used free of charge. As a student or researcher at KI, you also have access to additional functions. Use this log in button:
Because the software is cloud-based, you access it via a web browser, which can be an advantage compared to an EndNote program tied to a specific computer. However, in both cases you do need to download an add-on for Word, which is what you will use to import references into your text.
EndNote Online Guide
All you need to know to get started with EndNote Online can be found in our EndNote Online Guide.
KI reference styles
In EndNote Online you have access to modified APA and Vancouver styles.
- APA 7th KI (Swedish only)
- Vancouver KI
There is no KI style for APA 7 in English; it is not needed.
In KI version of APA style, it is possible to include retrieval data for online resources. This is not possible in the standard APA style in EndNote Online. In the KI version of Vancouver style, we have excluded some redundant information, such as ”Epub”. We have also added a hanging indent in the reference list. You have access to the KI reference styles in EndNote Online only if you created your account by using the link above.
Download APA 7th KI (Swedish)
You can also download the reference style APA 7th KI (Swedish) (.ens file) if you have EndNote installed locally on your computer.
- APA 7th KI (svenska).ens (71.1 KB)
Download Vancouver KI
If you have the EndNote desktop version installed on your computer, you can download the KI version of Vancouver (.ens-file):
- vancouver_ki.ens (36.55 KB)
Zotero
Zotero is an open source reference management software program and it is free to use locally on your computer. You download it as a plugin to your web browser and to your word processing software. Zotero is compatible with Word, LibreOffice and Google Docs. If you choose to sync your Zotero Library and thus use Zotero Storage you can have a 300MB large library. If you need more storage you can find pricing information here.
You can easily save your references to Zotero with a small icon in the address bar of your browser. Just click on the icon and Zotero will save any references from books, articles, web pages and other kinds of sources. Your Zotero library is stored locally on your computer, but by syncing it you will be able to access it from other computers as well.
Would you like to know more?
- Get started with Zotero
- Do you need help? Use the guide to Zotero from Uppsala University Library.
Which software should I choose?
There is an abundance of reference management software to choose from. The table below contains a comparison of EndNote, EndNote Online, Zotero and Papers. They have different advantages and are used by both students and researchers.
| EndNote | EndNote Online | Zotero | Papers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary target group | Researcher | Student | Student | Researcher |
| Free | Not free | Free | Free | Not free |
| Compatible with | Word | Word | Word, Open Office, Google Docs | Word |
| Apps | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Include fulltext PDF | Yes, also automatically | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Annotation in PDF's | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Collaboration | To a certain pont | Yes, share groups of references | Yes, share groups of references | ? |
| Journal titles | Automatic abbreviation | No | Automatic | No |
| Edit / create styles | Yes | Not as an end user, but the library can edit styles through an admin account | Yes | Create, but not edit styles |
If you want to know more, there is more detailed information on each program's website. In addition, you can in most cases download a free trial version.
Imperial College Library in London, provides a more comprehensive comparison of the different software programs.
Support
Students and staff can get support in reference management programmes by turning to drop in in Zoom or booked tutorials.
Courses
Many undergraduate programs offer workshops in EndNote Online integrated into students' regular course schedule.
For a fee, you can order a introductory course for specific groups outside KI, for example, an institution or government agency.
If you would like us to get back to you, please submit your contact information in the form below along with your feeback.