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Citation Managers

An overview of Zotero and Mendeley citation management programs

What is Zotero?

Zotero (pronounced "zoh-TAIR-oh") is an application that collects, manages, and cites research sources. It's easy to use, connects with your web browser to download sources, and best of all it's free.

Zotero will allow you to:

  • Collect books, articles, videos, etc, and have them all in one location
  • Easily create citations from databases
  • Tag your citations for greater searchability
  • Attach PDFs, notes and images to your citations
  • Enter citations and bibliographies, in many formats (MLA, Chicago, APA, etc.)
  • Create in-text citations
  • Share your research and references with a group

Zotero Basics

Step 1: Install Zotero 

Download and install Zotero from the Zotero website. If you have a Concordia issued computer (desktop or laptop), you will need to email PC Support (pcsupport@cord.edu) to have Zotero installed on your device. 

(There's a different version for each operating system: Windows, Mac or Linux.)

Step 2: Install Zotero Connectors

Connectors allow your web browser to save citations to your Zotero library.

Download and install Zotero Connectors from the Zotero website. Each browser has its own version of the Zotero connector, so if you use Chrome, Firefox and Safari you'll need to install all three.

If you have a Concordia issued computer (desktop or laptop), you will need to email PC Support (pcsupport@cord.edu) to have Zotero Connectors installed on your device

There are many ways to add items into your Zotero library. For a full list and instructions, please visit the "Adding Items to Zotero" help page. 

To use Zotero properly, you need to install the Zotero Connector for Chrome, Firefox, and/or Safari. See the Installing tab for more information.

 

Via Your Web Browser

When Zotero detects that you're looking at a book or article on a library catalog or database, or a site like the New York Times, you'll see a book or page icon appear in the address bar of your browser. Just click the icon and Zotero will automatically save the citation.

You can do this when you are searching in library databases like Academic Search Premier, Credo Reference, Ebook Central, etc. 

Add Citation from Library Database

  1. Search the library database and select an article to add to your Desktop library. 
  2. Find how to export the citation. (This will vary by database. Contact the Carl B. librarians if you need help)
  3. Select the option to export as RIS.
    1. RIS file should save to your computer.
  4. Open Zotero.
  5. Go to the "Files" menu. Choose "Import."
  6. In the pop-up window, select "A File (BibTeX, RIS, Zotero RDF, etc.)." Click "Next."
  7. Select the file on your computer. 
  8. Select your options. Click "Next."
  9. Click "Finish." 
  10. Zotero should import the reference automatically.

Manual Entry

  1. Open Zotero. 
  2. Go to the "Files" menu. Choose "New item."
  3. Select the resource type you want to add (book, journal article, interview, etc.)
  4. A blank form will appear on the right side. Add the information for your document.

Copy and Paste into Google Docs or Microsoft Word

  1. Select the references you want to include. 
    1. Hold the control key and click to select multiple items.
  2. Right click on one of the selected items. Choose "Create Bibliography from Items..."
  3. Select citation style.
  4. Select "Copy to Clipboard" as the Output Method. Click "Ok."
  5. Open Google Docs or Microsoft Word.
  6. Paste the citations into your word processor. (Press and hold the Ctrl key, and while continuing to hold, press V.)