Skip to Main Content

Citation Management

Citation Management Tools

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.

External Links to Citation Management Tools

How Do I Choose the Correct Tool?

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.

Citation Manager FAQs

Get PubMed References into a Citation Management Software

Follow these steps to export records from PubMed:

  1. Select a record in PubMed
  2. Select the option to 'Save'
  3. Select the appropriate option for the selection of results.
  4. Under 'Format' select 'PubMed'
  5. Select 'Create File'
  6. Save the file as .txt
  7. Open citation management software (Ex: EndNote, RefWorks, or Zotero)
  8. Select 'File Import'
  9. Choose the saved PubMed .txt file
  10. From the import option pull down menu, select the 'PubMed NLM import' filter
  11. Select 'Import'

For more information, see the video, "EndNote: Importing Records From PubMed."

Choose a citation manager that best meets your requirements. EndNote, RefWorks, Mendeley, and Zotero each come with respective strengths and weaknesses, but all offer the same basic features:

  • Export a batch of references from a database
  • Organize references in folders 
  • Share citations with research groups
  • Create a bibliography of citations in a variety of styles
  • Add a Microsoft Word plug-in that allows citation while you write on the document

Compare Citation Managers

Johns Hopkins affiliates get discounted access to RefWorks and EndNote.

RefWorks (free to Hopkins affiliates)

Visit RefWorks and select "Johns Hopkins Institutions" to get started.

EndNote Desktop (Discount for Faculty and Staff)

Visit Johns Hopkins Information Technology Services and search "EndNote" for current pricing information.

EndNote Desktop (Discount for Students)

Visit https://onthehub.com and navigate to the Johns Hopkins University profile to view current EndNote pricing information.

Citation Management Questions

Contact Ivy Linwood Garner, Senior Reference Specialist, with questions at (410) 955-3410 or ilg@jhmi.edu.

The OpenURL (Resolver) for finding full-text at Johns Hopkins is https://catalyst.library.jhu.edu/discovery/openurl?institution=01JHU_INST&vid=01JHU_INST:JHU

The authentication URL for finding full-text at Johns Hopkins is http://proxy.library.jhu.edu/