Citation Management

Citation management tools (also called reference management software) help you:

• Store and organize references
• Attach PDFs and add notes to references
• Create bibliographies and insert references into documents
• Collaborate with others on manuscript writing

The Welch Medical Library offers classes on how to use RefWorks, EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero.

Because Johns Hopkins has a site license for RefWorks, your access to this tool is free and only requires your JHED ID and password.

EndNote can be purchased through the Johns Hopkins IT Software Catalog. Student discounts are also available through EndNote.

View the citation manager comparison chart to evaluate the features, flexibility, and accessibility of each option. Depending on your goals, one of these tools may be a better fit for your needs.

RefWorks, EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero each come with their own set of strengths and weaknesses, but these four tools offer the same basic features, such as:

• Export a batch of references from a database in the tool
• Organize these references in folders 
• Share your citations with research groups
• Create a bibliography of your citations in a variety of styles
• Add a Microsoft Word plug-in that lets you cite while you write your document

If you need additional help selecting a citation management program or getting started using one, contact the informationist who serves your department.