referencing without tears the why, the when and the how of reference management dr emma coonan...
TRANSCRIPT
Referencing without tearsthe why, the when and the how of reference management
Dr Emma CoonanResearch Skills Librarian, Cambridge University Library
Cambridge University Library
What’s in this session
• Tips on good reference management practice – and why to bother
• Software tasters:
o EndNote(Web)
o Zotero
o Mendeley
© evaxebra www.flickr.com
WHY?
Outsourcing your memory
"[I do not] carry such information in my mind since it is readily available ....
“The value of a college education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think.”
Albert Einstein via www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/building-your-own-memex
• Keep track
• Keep your sources safe
• Keep sane …
Referencing: boring but important
Löfström, Erika. “‘Does Plagiarism Mean Anything? LOL.’ Students’ Conceptions of Writing and Citing.” Journal of Academic Ethics 9.4 (2011): 257–275.
Löfström, Erika. “‘Does Plagiarism Mean Anything? LOL.’ Students’ Conceptions of Writing and Citing.” Journal of Academic Ethics 9.4 (2011): 257–275.
Ceci n’est pas une référence(This is not a
reference)
Miller & DeJoy, 2010
“Referencing helps create a map of knowledge, a web of pathways in knowledge; and each researcher helps extend that knowledge .... referencing
multiplies knowledge exponentially.”
Monash University Learning Support via http://theuniversityblog.co.uk/2012/07/24/need-references/
WHEN?
Your personal knowledge base
L: ‘Knowledge base’ by Mediadeo, flickr.com, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0R: ‘Victorian mindmapped man’ by LukePDQ, flickr.com, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Time tip
Bad time of day for creativity, synthesis, original thought
= good time of day for data management ...
o proofreading
o weeding references
o organising folders and tags
HOW?
Have a system that’s …
• Consistent
• Safe (back-up-able)
• Flexible enough to meet your needs
• Compatible with your workflow
Word file or spreadsheet
Reference management software
EndNote: for systematic researchers (worker ants)
Pros:
• Clear display
• Flexible and powerful
• Hundreds of output styles
Cons:
• Time-consuming to learn
• Cost
• Single machine access
EndNoteWeb: basic ‘starter’ software
Pros:
• Free (but expires!)
• Web access
• Nothing to download
Cons:
• Least flexible/customizable
• Limited storage space
• Tied to Web of Knowledge
Zotero: for impulsive researchers (squirrels)
Pros:
• 1-click saving!
• Web access
• Easy interfacing with other packages
Cons:
• Requires download
• Cluttered visual display
Mendeley: for gregarious researchers (meerkats)
Pros:
• Free
• Web access/cloud backup
• File management
Cons:
• Two-part setup
• Requires download
• Bias towards scientific content
Reference management software
Pro:
• Powerful organisational tools
Con:
• Not a magic bullet
Explore!
www.myendnoteweb.com
www.mendeley.com
http://search.lib.cam.ac.uk (for Zotero)
• Please don’t change login/password details
• Remember to email yourself useful references!