Reference Management Software

This guide helps you getting started with using reference management software. With the help of a reference management software you can:

• store and organise all your references from different databases in your personal online reference library
• add references in your text, with the help of different plug-ins
• create automatic reference lists according to different citation styles, such as Harvard or APA
• share references with others
• read and comment PDF-files
• save articles as PDF-files so you can access them from any device you are using

Some reference management softwares needs to be purchased, while some are free of charge. This guide focuses on: 

• Mendeley (free of charge, there is also an extended version available which you need to pay for. This Libguide focuses on the free version)
• Zotero (free of charge)

There are many different types of reference management software, and which one to choose depends on the needs you have. Below you find a comparison between Mendeley and Zotero.

	Mendeley	Zotero
Free of charge	(up to 2 GB)	(up to 300 MB)
Online version
Downloadable version
Can be used without valid Hanken-ID
Open source	(a product from Elsevier)
PDF-files can be saved	(can be a hassle with getting all the reference details imported from the PDF-files)
Annotate and comment saved PDF-files
Tag references with keywords and sort references in folders
Save web content	(use Mendeley Web Importer)	(use Zotero connector)
Windows
MacOS
iOS/iPadOS
Linux
Android		*
Share documents and collaborate with others	(limited amount of groups in the free version)
Microsoft Word	(use Mendeley Cite-o-matic/Mendeley Cite)
Google Docs
Edit citation styles
Referencing using the Oxford system

*Zotero for Mobile

Before getting started using a reference management software, it is good to think through what your expectations and needs are:

• Does the software work with your computer and your operating system?
• Does the software work with your word processor? 
• Does the software support the referencing style you want to use?
• Do you need to collaborate with others? What tools are your colleagues using?
• Will you need a reference management software also after you have graduated from Hanken? In that case, do not use a software demanding  an institutional log in with Hanken-ID)
• Do you prefer a free software or are you willing to pay for the access?
• How can you get support in case you have questions? Does your university offer support in using the tool?

This comparison can help you choose the right software: