What can reference management software do for you?
- Create and maintain a library of sources that grows and evolves with your understanding and knowledge over time.
- Provide a central access point for all your readings, documents, notes, and ideas - either on or offline.
- Integrate with and enhance your existing workflows as you search, read, reflect, refine, evaluate, write, share, reflect, write, submit, resubmit, publish your paper... (you get the picture)!
- Help you organise, add value to, and make meaning of your unique collection of sources.
- Enable you to search for a specific term, abbreviation, annotation, tag, or note - it's really helpful when you can't remember who wrote or published a paper!
- Assist you to visually conceptualise your readings and ideas through a personalised group structure.
Which reference manager is right for you?
If you're not sure which reference management program is best for your needs, check out the University of Melbourne's How to choose a reference manager page.
Alternatively, Oxford University's Bodleian Libraries have a useful online comparison chart, weighing up the pros, cons, and features of seven different reference management programs.
And remember, there's ultimately no right or wrong when it comes to using a reference manager, and you should use the program which you feel best fits your own personal workflow(s), and style of research.