Managing your references   Tags: citing sources, reference management  

Reference management software, also known as citation management software, allows you to:

• collect references
• store references in a web account or on your desktop
• organise references
• add notes to your references
• link to full text, web pages and documents
• cite your references and create bibliographies

Some also have additional features such as:

• sharing your references
• pdf highlighting
• collaboration
• social networking

For a comparison the pros and cons and of the features of some of the most common reference managers see the comparison table tab.  For more detailed information about these reference managers - including sources of help and training - refer to their individual tabs. 

You may also find it helpful to test different reference managers to see which one you prefer working with.  Particular things you will want to consider consider when choosing your reference manager are:

1. Accessibility - desktop, web-based or web browser extension
2. Is the citation / reference style you need to use available?
3. Is the software compatible with the word processor you use?
4. If you want to share your references with colleagues, what do they use?

This guide was originally created by Elisabeth Atkinson and is now maintained by Oliver Bridle, Ljilja Ristic and Rowan MacGregor.

For help with reference management contact:

angela.carritt@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
(user education)

ljilja.ristic@bodleian.ox.ac.uk 
(physical sciences)

oliver.bridle@bodleian.ox.ac.uk 
(life sciences)

shona.mclean@bodleian.ox.ac.uk (social sciences)

alice.nelson@bodleian.ox.ac.uk or valerie.lawrence@bodleian.ox.ac.uk 
(history)

Andrew.kernot@bodleian.ox.ac.uk (business)