1 Citation and Reference Management

Citation/reference management is an essential part of the research process. Citation/reference management tools make it easy to collect, organize, share, and format the citations/references you will use in your thesis or dissertation. We recommend selecting and using a citation management tool as the first step in your research process, to keep track of the sources your consult as you’re working and format your in-text citations and bibliography when you’re ready to start writing.

Recommended citation management tools include:

• EndNote Desktop (free for graduate students)
• Mendeley
• Zotero

If you’re not sure which tool to choose, consult your colleagues, mentors, and advisors to see which program they use. Using the same tool can facilitate collaboration and sharing.

When it comes time to start writing, citation management tools integrate with Microsoft Word and other word processors to automatically format your footnotes/in-text citations and bibliography/reference list in your chosen format. Ask your advisor which citation format to use for your thesis or dissertation. There are thousands to choose from and it may not be the format you’re used to.

If you have questions or need assistance with citation management and formatting, contact your subject specialist librarian.