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Citations

How Do I Choose a Citation Manager?

Citation management (aka reference management) tools enable you to:

  • Import citations from databases, catalogs, PDFs etc., often through a browser plug-in
  • Store and organize references and/or PDFs in either a desktop or online account
  • Find duplicate citations; add notes or annotate your citations
  • Create bibliographies and in-text citations in Word and sometimes Google Docs using different citation styles
  • Share your digital library and collaborate with colleagues
With so many different types of citation managers, how do you decide which one is right for you?  Below you will find a comparison between several citation management tools. If you would like more information on which one to use for your project, contact us via the Ask Us service.
 
Name Strengths Limitations Learn More
Zotero
  • Freely available to all; can continue using it if you leave UVA 
  • Good option for collecting many types of literature, including web resources, through direct import or browser plug-in
  • Can easily import PDFs automatically
  • Easy to share citations with other users
  • Support available at the Health Sciences Library (Ask Us Form)
  •  Limited free storage space on web version (300MB).  No space limitations on desktop version.
  •  No dedicated tech support (help is through online forums)
Zotero tips
SciWheel
  • Web-based, so very portable
  • No storage limit
  • Additional features like article recommendations
  • Automatically removes duplicates
  • Sciwheel provides online support and troubleshooting
  • Support available at the Health Sciences Library (Ask Us Form)
  • Subscription-based, so full functionality will be lost if UVA cancels subscription.  Free Basic version would still be available.
SciWheel tips
Endnote Desktop ($$)
  • Good option for major research projects; can handle a large number of references
  • 7000+ predefined bibliographic formatting styles and ability to create styles
  • Sharing options for your citations ("libraries") with up to 100 people
  • Dedicated customer support staff
  • Cost (purchase via Cavalier Computers)
  • Browser plug-in to import citations from articles or other Web documents is available, but has limited functionality
  • Learning curve to utilize EndNote's full functionality
Endnote Tips
Endnote Online
  • Web-based, so can be accessed from any computer 
  • Storage capacity (because UVA subscribes to Web of Science)
  • Very limited citation styles available
  • Browser plug-in to import citations from articles or other Web documents is available, but has limited functionality
  • Limited capabilities compared to EndNote Desktop
Endnote Tips
Mendeley
  • Designed as a PDF manager (ability to create a citation from PDF)
  • Social networking capabilities, find researchers in your field
  • Web Importer to grab citations 
  • Easily share citations with other users
  • Mendeley Cite (Word plug-in) is approved software for UVA employees, but users report problems with installation and use at times
  • Need to check on the accuracy of citation information
  • Free version has limited storage space for PDFs 
  • No database search from within the program
Mendeley Tips

Help

Guidance for UVA Health faculty, staff, and students is available by appointment:

  • Help with choosing the right citation manager for you
  • Basic guidance on citation management features and getting started (for Zotero and Sciwheel only)

Just Ask Us via the link at left - we are happy to provide help via email, phone, or in-person.

Zotero Tips

Getting Started

How to Use Zotero with Literature Databases

1. Exporting from PubMed

  • See this guide from the UAB Libraries. Note that there are two ways to import references, through the Web Connector or by exporting (see instructions on the left of the UAB guide page). Don't have the Web Connector? See this guide from Georgia State.

2. Exporting from Ovid MEDLINE or Ovid journals

  • Click Export and under Format, choose RIS
  • Double-click your downloaded RIS file and it should open in Zotero

3. Exporting from CINAHL

  • Add citations to your Folder, and in Folder view, click Export, then choose Direct Export in RIS format (e.g. CITAVI, EasyBib, EndNote, ProCite, Reference Manager, Zotero)
  • Double-click your downloaded RIS file and it should open in Zotero

4. Exporting from other databases or database collections

  • This guide from Tufts has directions on exporting from many different library literature databases.

Using Zotero at UVA

While using Zotero off-Grounds, you may want to configure your settings to help you retrieve full text articles. Click on EditPreferences, then Proxies. Then select the option to “enable proxy redirection” and under Configured Proxies add the uva proxy: https://proxy1.library.virginia.edu/login?url=

Zotero Troubleshooting

Thank you to the UVA University Library for their advice on the error message with the Zotero browser extension for Chrome.

We've found that starting last semester (Fall 2021), that many trying to add the Zotero browser extension for Chrome get this error message:

A screenshot of the Chrome error message that loads when you try to add the Zotero browser extension, stating "We are sorry, but you do not have access to this service. Please contact your Organization Administrator for access."

This is the result of changes in the Chrome Web Store settings which were implemented by Google for all "Google Workplace for Education" users (including everyone that has a UVA Gmail account).

Because UVA will begin transitioning student accounts from UVA Google to Office 365 in May 2022, and because there are several straightforward workarounds, UVA will not be addressing the issue caused by the changes by Google. Below we've outlined several of these workarounds.

Logging Out of Chrome

Since this is an issue with the UVA Gmail account, the easiest solution is to simply log out of that account in order to add the connector to Chrome. Note that you can be logged in to another non-UVA Google account, or not logged in to an account at all when installing the Zotero Connector. Therefore, log out of the UVA Gmail account in Chrome, install the Connector, and then log back in.

Change Browsers

Zotero Connector works with all major browsers, and only Chrome (and only while logged in using a UVA Gmail address) blocks the installation. Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Brave (and other Chromium-based browsers) are all options.

If for some reason you aren't able to log out to install the Connector, and you'd prefer to continue using Chrome while logged into the UVA Gmail account, there are still two other options (although they are more involved) -


Add Citations to Zotero without a Connector

This requires a bit of working around. Two options are outlined below.

Use the Zotero Bookmarklet - This bookmark will allow you to add items to your Zotero Library in much the same way as the browser connector.

Export by RIS format - This works for articles and books in most library catalogs. The link above will walk you through the basics.

SciWheel Tips

Getting Started with Sciwheel

  • Access Sciwheel site while on Grounds, though this UVA proxied link, or via the UVA VPN
  • Click on Create Free Account Now and use your UVA email to sign up for an account
  • Once in Sciwheel, at the top, under Tools, you will see links to add:
    • Chrome or Firefox extension - this tool allows you to grab references from within your browser (e.g. while viewing PubMed results) 
    • Word plugin 
    • Google Docs add-on

You can also install the mobile app for Android and iPhone.

Using Sciwheel from off-Grounds

  • When using Sciwheel off Grounds, you can add UVA's proxy address into your settings to enable you to retrieve UVA full text subscriptions.
    1. Sign in to Sciwheel and click on your initials in the upper right, then click on Account
    2. Click on Proxy settings from the left menu
    3. Under Proxy URL *, copy and paste this text: https://proxy1.library.virginia.edu/login?url=https://sciwheel.com/
    4. Click on Save

Troubleshooting

If you cannot access SciWheel or get error messages, check below to see if one of these steps can help:

  1. If you get an "account expired" message:
    1. If you have been using SciWheel from off-Grounds for more than 60 days (called off-campus roaming by SciWheel) you will need to "reset" the off-campus roaming counter. You can do this by:
      1. Using your laptop and SciWheel while physically on Grounds
      2. Accessing your SciWheel account while using the UVA VPN
      3. Accessing your SciWheel account through the UVA SciWheel link 
    2. If unable to resume normal access, email Sciwheel support or use the Sciwheel chat icon while in SciWheel F1000Workspace Support Message/Chat Button

Help and Support

Tutorials:

Sciwheel Support:

EndNote Tips

Getting Started

Choose your EndNote (compare features)

  • EndNote Desktop software
    • Fully-featured desktop software. Cost: EndNote 20: a $249.95 purchase price for faculty and staff. There is a discounted price for students of $149. - see http://www.cavaliercomputers.com/endnote to purchase a licensed copy.
  • EndNote Online with WoS) 
    • Web-based, "slimmed down" version of EndNote. Because UVA subscribes to Web of Science, we have access to a Web-based version of EndNote with limited functionality. Compare or learn more.

Tips and Tricks for UVA Users

Citation Styles

  • EndNote Desktop ships with 7000 popular styles. To add your favorite journal to your EndNote Desktop, use the Style Finder to find your style, then follow the instructions on that page to download and install. (Note that the Style Finder page also provides instructions on how to install all styles, or install styles by category). 

Using EndNote and PubMed

  • Follow this guide to easily export one or more PubMed citations and import to your EndNote Desktop
  • If you are away from your computer and your EndNote Desktop software, you can still collect citations: follow this guide (NOTE: you must have logged into your EndNote Online account through EndNote Desktop)

Using EndNote Off-Grounds

Help and Support

Written Guides and Videos

Personalized Help using EndNote:

EndNote/Clarivate Analytics Tech Support
Monday – Friday, 9am to 8pm ET
+1-800-336-4474, press 4, or contact Technical Support

Mendeley Tips

Note that some users report issues with Mendeley Cite while being signed into their UVA account in the desktop version of Word. Aftere signing out they are able to install Mendeley cite. Occasionally when "resetting" Word you won't see Mendeley in the Reference tab, but you can solve this by installing the plugin again and/or signing in/our from your UVA account.  

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