Your personal research assistant

Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share research.

Available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS

Just need to create a quick bibliography? Try ZoteroBib .

Meet Zotero.

Collect with a click..

Zotero automatically senses research as you browse the web. Need an article from JSTOR or a preprint from arXiv.org? A news story from the New York Times or a book from a library? Zotero has you covered, everywhere.

Organize your way.

Zotero helps you organize your research any way you want. You can sort items into collections and tag them with keywords. Or create saved searches that automatically fill with relevant materials as you work.

Cite in style.

Zotero instantly creates references and bibliographies for any text editor, and directly inside Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs. With support for over 10,000 citation styles, you can format your work to match any style guide or publication.

Stay in sync.

Zotero can optionally synchronize your data across devices, keeping your files, notes, and bibliographic records seamlessly up to date. If you decide to sync, you can also always access your research from any web browser.

Collaborate freely.

Zotero lets you co-write a paper with a colleague, distribute course materials to students, or build a collaborative bibliography. You can share a Zotero library with as many people you like, at no cost.

Zotero is open source and developed by an independent, nonprofit organization that has no financial interest in your private information. With Zotero, you always stay in control of your own data.

Still not sure which program to use for your research? See why we think you should choose Zotero .

Ready to try Zotero?

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15 Best Free Web Tools to Organize Your Research

How to stay organized when researching and writing papers

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Organizing research is important not only for your own sanity, but because when it comes time to unfold the data and put it to use, you want the process to go as smoothly as possible. This is where research organizers come in.

There are lots of free web-based organizers that you can use for any purpose. Maybe you're collecting interviews for a news story, digging up newspaper archives for a history project, or writing a research paper over a science topic. Research organizers are also helpful for staying productive and preparing for tests.

Regardless of the topic, when you have multiple sources of information and lots to comb through later, optimizing your workflow with a dedicated organizer is essential.

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Many of these tools provide unique features, so you might decide to use multiple resources simultaneously in whatever way suits your particular needs.

Research and Study

You need a place to gather the information you're finding. To avoid a cluttered space when collecting and organizing data, you can use a tool dedicated to research.

  • Pocket : Save web pages to your online account to reference them again later. It's much tidier than bookmarks, and it can all be retrieved from the web or the Pocket mobile app .
  • Mendeley : Organize papers and references, and generate citations and bibliographies.
  • Quizlet : Learn vocabulary with these free online flashcards .
  • Wikipedia : Find information on millions of different topics.
  • Quora : This is a question and answer website where you can ask the community for help with any question.
  • SparkNotes : Free online study guides on a wide variety of subjects, anything from famous literary works of the past century to the present day. 
  • Zotero : Collect, manage, and cite your research sources. Lets you organize data into collections and search through them by adding tags to every source. This is a computer program, but there's a browser extension that helps you send data to it.
  • Google Scholar : A simple way to search for scholarly literature on any subject.
  • Diigo : Collect, share, and interact with information from anywhere on the web. It's all accessible through the browser extension and saved to your online account.
  • GoConqr : Create flashcards, mind maps, notes, quizzes, and more to bridge the gap between your research and studying.

Writing Tools

Writing is the other half of a research paper, so you need somewhere useful to go to jot down notes, record information you might use in the final paper, create drafts, track sources, and finalize the paper.

  • Web Page Sticky Notes : For Chrome users, this tool lets you place sticky notes on any web page as you do your research. There are tons of settings you can customize, they're backed up to your Google Drive account, and they're visible not only on each page you created them on but also on a single page from the extension's settings.
  • Google Docs or Word Online : These are online word processors where you can write the entire research paper, organize lists, paste URLs, store off-hand notes, and more.
  • Google Keep : This note-taking app and website catalogs notes within labels that make sense for your research. Access them from the web on any computer or from your mobile device. It supports collaborations, custom colors, images, drawings, and reminders.
  • Yahoo Notepad : If you use Yahoo Mail , the notes area of your account is a great place to store text-based snippets for easy recall when you need them.
  • Notion : Workflows, notes, and more, in a space where you can collaborate with others.

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7 Great Tools to Organize Citations and References

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: May 19, 2023

https://www.educatorstechnology.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Best-Tools-to-Organiz-references-1.jpg

2- RefWorks

3- mendeley.

Tools to organize references

5. Cite This for Me

6. citefast.

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Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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Beyond a reference manager

An easy and intuitive way to discover, read, annotate, write and share scientific research.

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Get more out of your day with our award winning tool *

Instantly save references from the web.

Save references directly from the web, including Google Scholar and PubMed. Whenever you come across an interesting article we’ll save the web link, full citation data and the PDF (when available).

Highlight and add notes to PDFs and web pages

You can see your notes and co-author comments without leaving your document. Once you make a note, you can easily search to find them. Notes are accessible wherever you view the article or PDF on the web.

Get the most relevant articles

Our algorithm suggests articles to ensure you never miss an important paper. You can also search for related articles while writing your paper.

Access all you need to write your paper in a single location

Find your references and search multiple databases, all within Microsoft Word and Google Docs. Automatically generate your bibliography in one of 7,000+ styles. Never miss an important article with Smart citation suggestions * .

More about the Google Docs add-on here

* Premium feature

Access your references and PDFs from any device

Read, annotate and save articles from any computer, mobile or tablet (Android and iOS). Have all your references, notes and suggested articles available across your devices.

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Discuss and share new research more efficiently

Use a shared project to share references and discuss articles with collaborators and colleagues. Sharing a project also makes writing and editing citations on a document much easier.

“It's much faster and immeasurably easier than any other software I've used, and allows you to search online archives, like PubMed, as well as your own library, in the same window.”

Claire Sand, PhD

Queen Mary University of London

“It's the best scholarly tool I've seen so far, in terms of its practical usage!”

Shervin Safavi, PhD

Researcher at Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tuebingen, Germany

“The ability to highlight key points and add notes directly on the article means that when I write up my own research, I can quickly and easily find the relevant articles in my database.”

Fiona Russell, PhD

Postgraduate Research Associate - Kings College London

  •  Online reference manager
  •  Unlimited references
  •  Instantly save and annotate articles online
  •  Find and cite references in Microsoft Word and Google Docs
  •  Access your references and PDFs from any device
  •  Easy collaboration with co-authors
  •  Up to 3 projects
  •  Article suggestions *
  •  Unlimited storage *
  •  Smart citation suggestions in Microsoft Word and Google Docs *
  •  Access to article recommendations in Faculty Opinions *

Free GET BASIC

* Feature is available during your 30-day trial

  •  Unlimited projects
  •  Article suggestions
  •  Unlimited storage
  •  Smart citation suggestions in Microsoft Word and Google Docs
  •  Access to article recommendations in Faculty Opinions

$6.99/month GET PREMIUM

 Student pricing is available. Contact us

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SCI Journal

10 Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

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Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Boost Your Research Game with These Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers! Stay organized and supercharge your academic success today!

Researchers face numerous challenges when it comes to managing references and citations. The process of organizing and citing relevant sources can be time-consuming and prone to errors. 

Additionally, keeping track of a vast array of references from various disciplines can be overwhelming and lead to disorganized research workflows. 

With the increasing volume of information available, researchers need efficient tools that can simplify the reference management process and ensure accuracy.

The consequences of inadequate reference and citation management are far-reaching. Researchers may inadvertently misattribute ideas or fail to give proper credit to the original authors, leading to issues of plagiarism or intellectual dishonesty. 

Moreover, the lack of a structured reference management system can result in a loss of productivity, as valuable time is wasted on manually sorting through citations and formatting them according to different citation styles. 

This not only hampers the researcher’s efficiency but also affects the quality and reliability of their work.

Fortunately, there are several reference and citation management tools available that can alleviate these challenges. These tools offer researchers a range of features to streamline the process of collecting, organizing, and citing references. 

From automatically generating citations in various styles to facilitating collaboration and seamless integration with word processing software, these tools can significantly enhance researchers’ productivity and ensure the accuracy and consistency of their references. 

By utilizing the best reference and citation management tools, researchers can focus more on their research and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers: In A Nutshell (2023)

#1. citationsy – create citations, reference lists, and bibliographies.

Credits: Citationsy, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Citationsy is a widely used reference and citation management tool that researchers appreciate for its simplicity and efficiency. It offers a user-friendly interface and automates the citation generation process, allowing researchers to organize their references effortlessly. 

With seamless integration into word processors, inserting citations and creating bibliographies becomes convenient. However, users should be cautious of occasional inaccuracies in metadata retrieval, which may require manual adjustments. 

Additionally, while Citationsy supports numerous citation styles, some specialized styles may not be available. There have also been reports of synchronization issues, so regular data backups and verification are recommended. 

Despite these considerations, Citationsy remains a favored tool among researchers due to its time-saving capabilities and effectiveness in managing references and citations.

Citationsy offer the following pricing plans:

  • Monthly: $9.99
  • Monthly (student): $4.99

Credits: Citationsy, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

#2. SciAI – AI reference management software

Credits: Mendeley, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

SciAI is a highly regarded reference and citation management tool that has gained popularity among researchers. With its user-friendly interface and advanced features, it simplifies the process of organizing and citing sources. 

One of its key attractions is the intelligent recommendation system, which suggests relevant articles based on research papers and user preferences. This saves researchers time and helps them discover new sources to enhance their knowledge base. 

However, users need to exercise caution and verify the accuracy of the recommended citations, as automated suggestions may occasionally be misleading. 

It is also worth noting that SciAI may have compatibility issues with certain research databases and has limited support for non-English sources. 

Despite these considerations, SciAI remains a valuable resource for researchers, offering an efficient and intelligent solution for managing references and citations in scholarly works.

#3. Trinka : An AI-driven language editing and reference management platform

Credits: Trinka, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Trinka is a popular reference and citation management tool for researchers, known for its user-friendly interface and robust features. It simplifies the process of organizing, managing, and citing references in scholarly papers. 

With efficient search capabilities and seamless integration with popular reference styles, Trinka helps researchers discover relevant literature and generate accurate citations and bibliographies in different formats. Its collaborative features also facilitate teamwork and enhance productivity.

While Trinka offers numerous benefits, there are a few things to consider. The free version has limitations on the number of references, which may require upgrading to a premium subscription. 

Some users have reported occasional compatibility issues when importing references from specific databases or citation formats, but the development team actively addresses these issues through regular updates. 

Overall, Trinka remains a favored choice for researchers in need of a reliable and user-friendly reference and citation management tool.

  • Premium: $6.67/month

Credits: Trinka, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

#4. Scholarcy – Summarize your literature through AI

Credits:Scholarcy, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Scholarcy is a powerful literature review tool that helps researchers streamline their work. By employing advanced algorithms and natural language processing, it efficiently analyzes and summarizes academic papers, saving researchers valuable time. 

Scholarcy’s ability to extract key information and generate concise summaries makes it an attractive option for scholars looking to quickly grasp the main concepts and findings of multiple papers.

However, it is important to exercise caution when relying solely on Scholarcy. While it provides a useful starting point, engaging with the original research papers is crucial to ensure a comprehensive understanding. 

Scholarcy’s automated summarization may not capture the nuanced interpretations or contextual information presented in the full text. 

Researchers should also be aware that certain types of documents, particularly those with heavy mathematical or technical content, may pose challenges for the tool. 

Despite these considerations, Scholarcy remains a valuable resource for researchers seeking to enhance their literature review process and improve overall efficiency.

Scholarcy offer the following pricing plans:

  • Browser Extension and Flashcards: Free 
  • Personal Library: $9.99
  • Academic Institution License: $8K+

Credits: Scholarcy, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

#5. CiteSmart – AI powered – Cite right with CiteSmart!

Credits: CiteSmart, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

CiteSmart is a popular reference and citation management tool for researchers. It offers a user-friendly interface and powerful features that streamline the citation process. 

Researchers appreciate CiteSmart for its ability to import references from databases, generate citations in different styles, and create bibliographies with ease. Its advanced search capabilities and auto-suggest function also save valuable time when locating relevant sources. 

However, users should be cautious of potential limitations, such as ensuring the desired citation style is available and accurate. It’s important to double-check imported references for accuracy and completeness, as occasional errors or missing information can occur. 

Additionally, occasional technical glitches and synchronization issues may arise. Overall, CiteSmart provides an efficient and reliable solution for managing references and citations, but it’s important to remain vigilant for potential inaccuracies and technical hiccups.

#6. Kudos – Increase your visibility and impact 

Credits: Kudos, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Kudos is a popular reference and citation management tool designed to help researchers maximize the impact of their work. With its user-friendly interface and valuable features, it simplifies the process of organizing references and citations. 

Additionally, Kudos provides a platform to create plain language summaries, increasing research visibility and accessibility. However, researchers should be aware that while Kudos offers comprehensive support, it may lack advanced features found in other tools. 

Some users have reported occasional technical glitches and limitations in export formats for references. Despite these issues, Kudos remains a valuable tool for researchers looking to enhance the discoverability of their work.

#7. Iris AI – Introducing the researcher workspace

Credits: Iris AI, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Iris AI is a cutting-edge reference and citation management tool for researchers. Using AI algorithms, it revolutionizes literature discovery and organization. 

Researchers appreciate Iris AI for its ability to extract key information from extensive scientific literature, saving them time and effort in the literature review process. With its intuitive interface and powerful search capabilities, it streamlines the research workflow.

However, users should exercise caution when relying on Iris AI. Like any AI-driven tool, there is a possibility of occasional inaccuracies in search results or recommendations. Researchers must verify information retrieved through Iris AI before fully relying on it. 

Additionally, some users have reported occasional glitches or technical issues, but the development team is actively addressing these concerns through regular updates. 

Overall, Iris AI offers valuable assistance to researchers, enhancing their reference and citation management with its efficient literature discovery and organization features.

Iris AI offers different pricing plans to cater to various user needs:

  • Basic: Free
  • Premium: Monthly ($82.41), Quarterly ($222.49), and Annual ($791.07)

Credits: Iris AI, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

#8. Docear4Word – An AI-based reference management add-in for Microsoft Word

Credits: Docear4Word, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Docear4Word is a valuable reference and citation management tool catered specifically to researchers. With seamless integration into Microsoft Word, it offers a convenient solution for organizing references and generating citations in academic papers. 

Researchers appreciate this tool for its user-friendly interface, intuitive features, and a wide range of citation styles, which ensure accurate formatting according to various academic standards. 

Docear4Word simplifies the process of managing references, enabling researchers to easily keep track of their sources.

While Docear4Word offers numerous benefits, there are a couple of considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is compatible only with Windows-based systems, as it requires Microsoft Word to be installed. 

Additionally, as a plugin, it may not provide the same extensive functionalities as standalone reference management tools. Users should be cautious about potential compatibility conflicts with other Word plugins and ensure compatibility with complex document formatting. 

Keeping the tool updated will minimize any known issues and maximize its effectiveness in facilitating research and writing tasks.

#9. Qiqqa – Open Source Reference Software for Researchers

Credits: Qiqqa, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Qiqqa is a popular reference and citation management tool that offers researchers a range of features to streamline their workflow. With its comprehensive library management system, users can easily import, organize, and annotate research materials, saving time during literature reviews. 

The advanced search capabilities allow for quick retrieval of relevant information. However, users should be mindful of a few aspects. Qiqqa has a learning curve that may require some initial investment, and performance can be slow when handling large libraries. 

Synchronization issues between devices have been reported, and customer support may be limited. Nevertheless, Qiqqa remains a favored choice among researchers looking for a feature-rich tool to optimize their research endeavors.

#10. Cite This For Me – Harvard, APA, MLA reference generator

Credits: Cite This For Me, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

“Cite This For Me” is a widely used reference and citation management tool for researchers. Its popularity stems from its user-friendly interface and time-saving capabilities. 

The tool simplifies the citation process by automatically generating citations in various styles and from different sources, such as books, journals, and websites. It also offers a browser extension for quick citing of web pages during research.

However, users should be cautious when using “Cite This For Me.” While it provides a free version, advanced features require a subscription. Additionally, it’s important to double-check the accuracy and completeness of the generated citations, as automated tools can occasionally make errors. 

Some users have reported difficulties finding less common sources in the database and occasional formatting issues. Despite these concerns, “Cite This For Me” remains a valuable tool for efficiently managing and generating citations, saving researchers time and effort in their scholarly endeavors.

“Cite This For Me” offers different pricing plans to suit various needs:

  • Full Version, Unlimited Use: $19.99
  • Full Version, Monthly Plan: $6.99/month

Credits: Cite This For Me, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Established Traditional Reference and Citation Management Tools

#1. endnote – the best reference management tool.

Credits: EndNote, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

EndNote is a popular literature review tool embraced by researchers for its ability to efficiently manage references, citations, and bibliographies. 

With its user-friendly interface and robust features, it enables users to create personalized libraries of references, simplifying the searching and retrieval process. Integration with word processors allows for automated citation and bibliography generation in various citation styles. 

However, users should be prepared for a learning curve to maximize its functionalities and mitigate potential frustrations. 

Compatibility issues with different operating systems and occasional glitches in importing references or formatting citations are known issues, emphasizing the importance of double-checking outputs. 

Overall, EndNote proves to be a valuable companion for researchers seeking to organize their literature and optimize their academic writing, with vigilance needed to address potential hiccups.

For pricing, contact their sales team.

Credits: EndNote, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

#2. Mendeley – Reference management software

Credits: Mendeley, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Mendeley reference manager is a highly regarded literature review tool that researchers rely on for its efficient organization and citation management features. With its user-friendly interface, Mendeley simplifies the process of importing, organizing, and annotating academic papers. 

It’s a popular choice for researchers due to its reference management system, collaborative capabilities, and built-in PDF reader.

However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when using Mendeley. The free version has limited storage capacity, so users may need to subscribe to a premium plan for expanded storage. Additionally, as a cloud-based service, users should prioritize the security and privacy of their research data.

While occasional synchronization issues and formatting inconsistencies have been reported, Mendeley remains an indispensable tool for literature review and reference management. 

Its ability to streamline the research process and facilitate collaboration makes it a go-to resource for researchers seeking a comprehensive solution for their academic endeavors.

  • Pricing is not publicly available, you need to sign up for the premium version.

Credits: Mendeley, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

#3. Zotero – Your personal research assistant

Credits: Zotero, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Zotero is a game-changing literature review tool that has transformed the research landscape. It simplifies the gathering, organizing, and citing of information, making it the preferred choice for researchers worldwide. 

With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Zotero enables seamless capture and storage of references from various sources, eliminating the hassle of manual entry. 

It also offers powerful organization capabilities, allowing users to create custom libraries, tag entries, and generate citations in multiple styles. However, users should be mindful of relying solely on Zotero’s automated citation generation and double-check citations for accuracy. 

While occasional compatibility issues and updates exist, the benefits of using Zotero far outweigh any drawbacks. Overall, Zotero empowers researchers with an indispensable tool for efficient literature review, significantly enhancing the research process.

  • 300 MB – Free
  • 2 GB $20/year (equal to $1.67 per month)
  • 6 GB $60/year (equal to $5 per month)
  • Unlimited $120/year (equal to $10 per month)

Credits: Zotero, Credits: Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

#4. RefWorks – Web-based reference management service 

Note: As of June 30, 2023, legacy RefWorks is no longer available. It’s part of https://www.proquest.com now. 

Credits: RefWorks, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

RefWorks is a widely favored literature review tool, renowned for its user-friendly interface and efficient features. Researchers are drawn to this tool for its ability to simplify the research process, offering seamless organization, storage, and annotation of references. 

With advanced search functionalities, users can swiftly locate relevant sources, saving valuable time. Moreover, RefWorks supports collaboration, enabling multiple researchers to work together on projects.

While RefWorks is highly regarded, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Users should exercise caution in verifying the accuracy and reliability of the retrieved sources. Diligent evaluation is necessary to maintain research integrity. 

Additionally, occasional technical glitches and slow performance have been reported, and limited integration options with certain citation styles and reference managers may pose challenges.

Despite these considerations, RefWorks remains an invaluable asset for researchers seeking an efficient and comprehensive literature review tool. Its user-friendly features and intuitive design make it an excellent companion for academic exploration and discovery.

  • RefWorks offers different pricing plans depending on the user’s needs. The exact pricing details may vary, but typically, RefWorks offers individual subscriptions on a monthly or annual basis.

Credits: RefWorks, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

#5. Papers – Reference management for researchers, by researchers

Credits: Papers, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

“Papers” is a popular literature review tool favored by researchers for its user-friendly interface and powerful features. It offers efficient management and organization of scholarly articles, enabling users to search, download, and store relevant literature with ease. 

The tool’s citation management feature simplifies the referencing process, saving researchers valuable time. However, it’s important to be aware that “Papers” may not include every article ever published, necessitating the use of additional resources for a comprehensive review. 

Some users have reported occasional software glitches, such as difficulties importing certain file formats or syncing across devices. 

Despite its relatively high subscription cost, many researchers still find “Papers” to be a valuable investment in their research endeavors due to its comprehensive functionality and time-saving benefits.

  • Student: $3/month
  • Academic: $5/month
  • Corporate: $10/month

Credits: Papers, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

#6. JabRef – Free reference manager – Stay on top of your research

Credits: JabRef, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

JabRef is a popular literature review tool among researchers due to its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. It enables efficient reference management and citation generation, making it an indispensable companion for scholars engaged in academic research. 

With JabRef, users can easily create and maintain a centralized library of references, facilitating seamless searching, sorting, and categorization of relevant sources. The tool supports various citation styles, ensuring accuracy and consistency in academic writing. 

However, users should be aware that JabRef primarily focuses on reference management and citation generation, lacking advanced analysis and interpretation features. While it offers extensive customization options, beginners may find the initial setup and learning curve slightly challenging. 

Additionally, there may be occasional issues with importing metadata from specific databases and compatibility with certain operating systems. 

Nonetheless, JabRef’s active community addresses these concerns through regular updates and user support. Overall, JabRef is a valuable tool for researchers, simplifying reference organization and contributing to more efficient and accurate scholarly work.

#7. Citavi – Best reference management software for writing

Credits: Citavi, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Citavi is a widely acclaimed literature review tool favored by researchers for its ability to streamline the research process. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, it simplifies the gathering, organization, and annotation of research materials. 

The tool’s citation management capabilities save time and effort, while its collaborative features facilitate effective teamwork among researchers. 

Although Citavi may have occasional technical glitches and a learning curve, the software’s regular updates address these issues, ensuring a smoother user experience. Overall, Citavi is a popular choice for scholars looking for an efficient and comprehensive tool to enhance their literature review process.

  • Citavi for Windows – Business: $379 per user
  • Citavi for DBServer – Business: $449 per user
  • Citavi for DBServer – Academic: $289 per user
  • Citavi for Windows – Academic: $249 per user

Credits: Citavi, Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

Final Thoughts

In the realm of research, precision and organization are paramount. With the best reference and citation management tools, researchers can soar to new heights of efficiency and credibility. 

Seamlessly manage your sources, effortlessly create citations, and unlock the true potential of your scholarly pursuits. Stay ahead of the curve and harness the power of these top-notch tools, trusted by researchers around the globe. Elevate your research game and leave no room for error. 

The world of citations awaits your mastery.

Q1. Which are the best reference managers and citation managers that researchers highly recommend?

Researchers highly recommend several cutting-edge tools that excel in managing references and citations, commonly referred to as reference managers and citation managers. Some of the top-notch options include EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero, and RefWorks. 

These tools offer researchers efficient organization, storage, and citation capabilities, catering to diverse research needs and preferences.

Q2. What are some popular reference and citation management tools available for researchers?

Some popular reference and citation management tools include:

  • Zotero: An open-source tool that allows you to collect, organize, cite, and share research sources.
  • Mendeley: A platform that combines a reference & citation manager, PDF organizer, and social network for researchers.
  • EndNote: A comprehensive tool that enables researchers to search, organize, and format references and create bibliographies.
  • RefWorks: A cloud-based platform that simplifies the process of managing references and generating bibliographies.
  • Citavi: A tool that supports reference management, knowledge organization, and task planning for academic researchers.

Q3. What features should I look for in a reference and citation management tool?

When choosing a reference and citation management tool, consider the following features:

  • Import and export options for references from various sources.
  • Compatibility with popular word processors for easy citation insertion.
  • Support for different citation styles.
  • Collaboration features to share references with colleagues.
  • PDF management capabilities, such as annotation and organization.
  • Accessibility across multiple devices and platforms.
  • Integration with academic databases for easy search and retrieval of references.

Q4. Are there any free reference and citation management tools available?

Yes, several reference and citation management tools offer free versions with limited features. Zotero and Mendeley, for example, have free plans that provide essential functionality. These free versions are often sufficient for many researchers’ needs. 

However, some advanced features may require a subscription or premium membership.

Q5. Can reference and citation management tools help with formatting citations in different styles?

Yes, one of the primary benefits of reference and citation management tools is their ability to format citations in various styles, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and more. 

These tools typically offer built-in citation style libraries and allow users to switch between styles with ease. This feature saves time and ensures that your citations and bibliographies are formatted correctly according to the chosen citation style.

There is more.

Check out our other articles on the Best Academic Tools Series for Research below.

  • Learn how to get more done with these Academic Writing Tools  
  • Learn how to proofread your work with these Proofreading Tools
  • Learn how to broaden your research landscape with these Academic Search Engines
  • Learn how to manage multiple research projects with these Project Management Tools
  • Learn how to run effective survey research with these Survey Tools for Research
  • Learn how get more insights from important conversations and interviews with Transcription Tools
  • Learn how to manage the ever-growing list of references with these Reference Management Software
  • Learn how to double your productivity with literature reviews with these AI-Based Summary Generators
  • Learn how to build and develop your audience with these Academic Social Network Sites
  • Learn how to make sure your content is original and trustworthy with these Plagiarism Checkers
  • Learn how to talk about your work effectively with these Science Communication Tools

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Speedy Citations: 6 Reference Management Software Solutions for Your Research

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Written by  Scribendi

Students, academics, authors, and researchers generally have to do a lot of online research. With so many different databases, online journals, and websites, it can be overwhelming to manage and organize so many references—especially if you're doing it manually.

Did you know that there are programs that can actually manage and keep track of your references for you? If not, then you are in for a treat!

Many reference management software programs make the process of managing your references nearly effortless. Here are the top 6, as determined by Scribendi's research.

Up Close: The 6 Best Reference Management Software Programs

Managing your references online doesn't have to be hard, e specially when citation programs exist that let you easily organize and cite your references.

Reference managers take the effort out of storing references, categorizing them, and including the right ones in your work.

Without reference managers, it's too easy to lose an important source, or worse, cite it incorrectly.

Below, we're expanding on the top reference management software programs out there, including:

Download our 1-page guide to reference management software solutions now.

research reference organizer

1. Mendeley

Mendeley

If you're in a technical or scientific field, Mendeley is an excellent option for you. This reference management software allows users to generate citations and bibliographies in Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, and LaTeX.

Mendeley is great for collaborative work because it allows you to connect with colleagues and share your papers, notes, and annotations. It can be used on your computer via the web or through your iPhone or iPad, which makes it easy to do your work wherever you go.

Mendeley Review

Mendeley Review

Mendeley is especially useful for gathering data from PDFs you find in your research process. It automatically extracts metadata and adds it to your library entry. The software also has a built-in PDF viewer for easy reading.

With both free and paid options, Mendeley is one of the best reference managers and is easily accessible across all devices. For easy organization, it gives you the option of categorizing sources as recently read or recently added.

As an additional way to keep all of your notes from sources on a single platform, Mendeley has its own proprietary system for annotating PDFs . This means you don't need to leave the platform to take notes as you go!

Endnote versus Mendeley

If you're like most researchers and authors, you might be considering Endnote versus Mendeley. If so, here are a few things that might sway your decision.

Mendeley offers the bulk of its platform features for free. It gives you the option to sync your references on all of your devices, and it makes reference categorization simple.

EndNote, on the other hand, is a pricier Mendeley alternative. The majority of its features can only be accessed with a paid subscription. However, EndNote is more of a complete tool, with a heavy focus on academic journals. You can search databases, such as PubMed, right inside the tool, and it makes citation formatting a breeze with its Cite While You Write integration.

Both platforms have great features; the choice just depends on how much you're able to spend per month and your specific discipline. 

2. Flowcite

Flowcite

Flowcite helps researchers manage every aspect of academic writing, including research, reference management, collaborative writing, annotating, editing, and publishing. It brings together all of the most requested services for creating a research paper from start to finish.

Besides free core features, such as a knowledge library of almost 25 million sources, a reference manager, LaTeX and rich text editors, and a collaborative PDF viewer, Flowcite offers a number of top-notch services for editing and proofreading (by Scribendi !), similarity checking, and publishing from leading service providers.

Get Academic Proofreading by Scribendi to get your work ready for journal publication.

Flowcite review.

Flowcite Review

Like other reference management tools, Flowcite has free and paid options. Their free option gives you 3 GB of storage and collaboration features for up to three people. However, at $9 a month, Flowcite's paid subscription isn't too steep.

With their paid option, you can enjoy the following features:

A PDF viewer in which you can collaborate with colleagues on annotations

The ability to access free journal articles within the platform

Up to 30 GB of storage for important references

Collaboration features for up to 10 people

The ability to purchase or rent e-books from Flowcite's online bookstore

A browser extension for saving references on the go

If you're searching for an all-in-one platform to help you not only research your paper but also write, format, and spell-check it, Flowcite is your best bet.

For help finding free peer-reviewed articles online, check out 17 Research Databases for Free Articles .

3. refworks.

RefWorks

RefWorks is an exceptional reference management software program. Although it is not free, many colleges and universities have subscriptions to RefWorks, which means that you may already have it available to you through your school. Score!

RefWorks is great because it allows users to generate and format bibliographies and manuscripts in hundreds of output styles, including some of the most common (e.g., APA , MLA , or Chicago ). It also allows users to manage more than just bibliographical data, which is why it's great for academics and researchers alike.

Refworks Review

RefWorks Review

RefWorks is an ideal reference manager for students and undergraduates, given that most universities subscribe to it.

With RefWorks, you can create bibliographies in multiple formats, and it has a simple user interface, which can be either a benefit or a disadvantage, depending on the complexity of your research needs.

It also has helpful features, such as reference organization, a built-in PDF reader, and the ability to sync your data to Dropbox so you can access it offline.

Mendeley versus Refworks

Both RefWorks and Mendeley have great options for saving and organizing your references, but choosing between them will depend on your specific needs and situation.

Mendeley is a more user-friendly and stable platform. Many enjoy the tool's robust collaboration features and the ability to view full-text PDFs from within it, making it a top contender in the reference and bibliography software space.

If your university uses RefWorks, they most likely have a subscription that allows you to cite sources, record data from articles or books, and share your database with multiple people at no cost.

Zotero

Zotero is both free and open source, which means that you don't have to pay for it and that its design is publicly accessible. Zotero is a great choice for a reference manager, especially for students, because it runs as both a web service and an offline service on your personal device (laptop, iPad, cell phone, etc.).

Zotero not only stores and formats your bibliographic information but also allows you to organize, tag, and search this information. It automatically and seamlessly extracts information from books, journal articles, and other online sources, making the process of creating a reference list effortless. 

Zotero Review

Zotero Review

Zotero is an open-source reference manager with free and paid options that allow you to save web-based sources. With its browser extension (Connector), you can easily save and organize the sources you find while researching.

As one of the more popular reference managers, Zotero offers up to 300 MB of free file storage and has a clean and minimal interface for reference organization. Its Microsoft Word plug-in allows for easy citation formatting, and its annotation feature gives you the option to add notes to your research from within the platform.

Zotero versus Mendeley

When considering Zotero versus Mendeley, it's easy to see that both reference managers give you the ability to organize your references effectively.

One benefit of Mendeley is that it offers more free cloud storage than other platforms—up to 2 GB. This gives you space for about 700–800 articles. If you plan to collect a lot of references, this might be the better option.

However, Zotero is known to be better for non-journal articles and for having a dedicated user community for support, given that it is an open-source project.

Both platforms allow you to save citations while you browse and have free plug-ins for Word and LibreOffice for creating in-text citations, footnotes, and bibliographies.

EndNote

EndNote is great if you're collaborating on a research paper. It lets you share sources with up to 14 colleagues anywhere in the world, so it's definitely the top choice for collaborations. 

One of the highlights of this reference manager is that it includes reference types such as interviews, podcasts, conference papers, and press releases. It also lets you add citations to Microsoft PowerPoint slides, which is especially helpful if you're creating a presentation with a group.

EndNote has a huge catalog of format options with over 6,000 reference styles, so regardless of your discipline, you're bound to find one that fits your needs. Although EndNote isn't free, it is certainly high quality.

EndNote Review

EndNote Review

EndNote has a reputation for being one of the most complete reference manager software packages in the industry. It's been around a lot longer than most other similar tools and contains robust features for researchers and students in its paid version ($299, one-time purchase).

Within EndNote, you can create rules that let you organize your references and effectively format citations in multiple areas within your text using its Cite While You Write integration.

The latest version of EndNote also makes collaboration easier, offering support for up to 200 users to share references. Additionally, EndNote has a search function that makes it easy to search databases, such as PubMed, without leaving the platform.

Endnote versus Zotero

Depending on the kind of citation manager software you need, both EndNote and Zotero offer helpful features for researchers and students.

While Zotero offers more features for free and has one of the best support communities, EndNote is a pricier but more robust option. However, both tools are effective at helping you to organize and categorize your references.

Both tools allow you to download references easily from a PubMed search, find and remove duplicate citations, and insert citations that are automatically formatted to your style preference into your text.

Additionally, Zotero seems to be a better fit for non-journal articles, while EndNote is often the best choice for STEM disciplines.

6. Citationsy

Citationsy

Citationsy is a great choice because it's so adaptable. You can access it as a page within your browser or download it as a Chrome extension or mobile app, which means that you can access your library from any device with an internet connection.

Like the other reference managers, it automatically extracts citation details so that you don't have to type them in yourself. You can even use its mobile app to cite your books by scanning their barcodes.

Citationsy Review

Citationsy Review

With its intuitive and easy-to-use user interface, Citationsy is a welcoming reference manager for students and professionals alike.

It boasts 300,000+ users and has features that help you add bibliographic references from your phone and scan physical books to save as future references. Currently, Citationsy supports over 8,000 citation formats, and references can be exported in BibTeX/LaTeX format.

In terms of price, Citationsy has a free 3-day trial with a $4.99/month subscription for students and a $9.99/month subscription for non-students.

The one thing to keep in mind with Citationsy is that some of its features are more limited in comparison with EndNote and Mendeley, so be sure it has exactly what you're looking for!

Do you see the common trend with these reference management software programs? They make creating a bibliography easy! Be sure to take advantage of the features offered by these programs to make your research just a little bit easier.

If you would rather have an expert editor format your references correctly according to any style guide, check out Scribendi's fast, affordable, and professional academic proofreading services .

1-Page Guide to Reference Management Software

Download now, what is a reference manager.

A reference manager, also called a citation manager, is a tool that makes it easy to collect and organize references during the research process. It allows you to store references from your browser so you do not overlook any references you've used. Many reference managers have plug-ins that make it easy to cite sources within your paper, usually with a single click. 

Which Is the Best Citation Manager?

The best citation manager will depend on your needs as a student, researcher, or author. You'll need to ask: Do I want a paid or a free option? How much storage do I need?

If you're looking for free options with the flexibility to be used from anywhere, try experimenting with EndNote Basic, Zotero, or Mendeley. However, if your university pays for your citation manager, RefWorks might be a better fit.

In terms of storage, Mendeley wins the race for large free storage options, but you may want to experiment with a few different tools to see what works for you.

How Long Does a Mendeley Data Review Take?

Each shared dataset in Mendeley Data can take 1–2 business days to approve from the time of submission to be sure it complies with Mendeley's dataset requirements. You should receive an email informing you whether your dataset has been accepted.

To ensure dataset acceptance, double-check that your datasets are scientific in nature, have not already been published, and do not contain sensitive or copyrighted content.

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Scribendi Reviews: Citation Software

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Our biggest sale yet! Save 25% on EndNote 21 single-user licenses until March 31st, 2024!

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EndNote is the reference manager that helps you save time formatting citations, so you can focus on your research.

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The best reference management tool is getting even better. The all new EndNote 21 and EndNote Web help you manage and format citations like never before with bold new features.

With EndNote 21 you stay organized using features like tags that enhance productivity. You can enjoy peace of mind with data restoration functions that protect your work and improve your writing workflow with integrated document creation tools for Google Docs.

EndNote 21 is here!

EndNote 21 key features

Protect your work with data restoration function.

Take a deep breath. If the unthinkable happens, EndNote 21 can recover your library from the cloud and get you back where you belong.

In EndNote 21, you can restore your library and library structure with our new data restoration function, ensuring your research is not lost. With single reference restoration you can also compare and restore previous versions of individual references.

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Stay organized with tags

Tags are customizable labels that let you organize your references however you’d like. You can add tags to references and customize the color and name of the tags.

You can add multiple tags to a reference and anyone who you share your library with can view a tag, making tags a great way to quickly and intuitively organize your references.

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Cite While You Write in Google Docs™

Our best-in-class Cite While You Write (CWYW) tool makes it easy to insert your EndNote references into Microsoft Word™ or Apple Pages™. CWYW automatically creates in-text citations and reference lists and easily change the format of your in-text citations and reference lists.

CWYW will soon also be available to EndNote 21 customers in Google Docs™ via Google Workspace Marketplace, making it easier to write your next paper and to collaborate on documents with colleagues.

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Experience a new exclusive EndNote Web interface

With EndNote you can access your research anytime, anywhere from the cloud. Move seamlessly between online and the desktop and iPad applications.

Say hello to the brand new EndNote Web, available only to EndNote 21 customers for three years from activation date. Securely sync your entire library including PDF’s, notes, and annotations across all your devices.

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Make the most of your EndNote experience with these templates and plug-ins

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View all of the EndNote training videos on our YouTube channel

One click PDF access

Automatically export your references and full-text PDFs into EndNote

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Top 5 Free Reference Management Software for Research

Best Reference Management Software for PhD Research

Dr. Somasundaram R

Top 5 Free Reference Management Software for Research

Table of contents

Highlights:, 2. endnote | the best reference management tool.

Reference management software is used to organize and communicate research papers, as well as to create bibliographies for academic publications. Managing the reference materials that have been downloaded is a difficult task for any academic writer. Finding an acceptable research reference to support a statement is critical while writing a research paper or thesis. As a result, using reference management software to organize the materials in chronological order and generate bibliographies is critical. In order to accomplish this, ilovephd has compiled a list of the Top 5 Free Reference Management Software for Research.

1. Mendeley – Reference Management Software

Mendeley is a product and service provider for academic scholars situated in London, United Kingdom. It is best known for its reference manager, which is used to organize and distribute research papers as well as generate bibliographies for academic publications.

Mendeley

  • Access your library, everywhere

Add papers directly from your browser with a few clicks or import any documents from your desktop. Access your library from anywhere. Windows, Mac, Linux, and all browsers.

  • Easy referencing

Generate references, citations, and bibliographies in a whole range of journal styles with just a few clicks.

  • Career development

250,000 science, technology, and health jobs to advance your career.

EndNote is a commercial reference management software tool that may be used to keep track of bibliographies and references while writing essays, reports, and articles.

EndNote

  • Write Faster

Insert in-text citations while simultaneously creating a bibliography with the Cite While You Write feature in Microsoft® Word.

  • Research Better

Use tools that find PDFs for you throughout your search process. Then, easily read, review, annotate and search PDFs in your library.

  • Stay Organized

Create rules to automatically organize references as you work. And, use the new Tabs feature for easier multitasking.

  • Collaborate Easier

Easily collaborate across geographic boundaries. Share some or all of your library and set permissions for access.

  • Get Published

Match your paper with relevant, reputable journals using Manuscript Matcher.

  • Work From Anywhere

Access your research anytime, anywhere from the cloud. Move seamlessly between online and desktop and iPad applications.

3. Zotero | Your personal research assistant

Zotero is a free and open-source reference management software that allows you to organize your bibliographic data and research resources.

research reference organizer

  • Collect with a click

Zotero is the only software that automatically senses research on the web. Need an article from JSTOR or a preprint from arXiv.org? A news story from the New York Times or a book from a library? Zotero has you covered, everywhere.

  • Organize your way

Zotero helps you organize your research any way you want. You can sort items into collections and tag them with keywords. Or create saved searches that automatically fill with relevant materials as you work.

  • Cite in style

Zotero instantly creates references and bibliographies for any text editor, and directly inside Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs. With support for over 100,000 citation styles, you can format your work to match any style guide or publication.

  • Stay in sync

Zotero can optionally synchronize your data across devices, keeping your notes, files, and bibliographic records seamlessly up to date. If you decide to sync, you can also always access your research from any web browser.

  • Collaborate freely

Zotero lets you co-write a paper with a colleague, distribute course materials to students, or build a collaborative bibliography. You can share a Zotero library with as many people as you like, at no cost.

4. JabRef – Free Reference Manager

JabRef is a cross-platform, open-source citation and reference management program. Its native formats are BibTeX and BibLaTeX, and it is therefore commonly used for LaTeX. JabRef is an acronym for Java, Alver, Batada, and Reference.

research reference organizer

Import options for over 15 reference formats.

Easily retrieve and link full-text articles.

Fetch complete bibliographic information based on ISBN, DOI, PubMed-ID, and arXiv-ID.

Import new references directly from the web browser with one click using the official browser extension.

Complete and improve bibliographic data by comparing with curated online catalogs such as Google Scholar, Springer or MathSciNet.

Automatically rename and move associated files according to customizable rules.

Customize and add new metadata fields or reference types.

Group your research into hierarchical collections.

Organize articles based on keywords, tags, search terms, or your manual assignments.

Advanced search and filter features.

Keep track of what you read: ranking, priority, printed, quality-assured.

Native BibTeX and BibLaTeX support, perfect for text-based typesetting systems such as LaTeX and Markdown.

Cite-as-you-write functionality for external applications such as Emacs, Kile, LyX, Texmaker, TeXstudio, Vim, and WinEdt.

Format references in one of the many thousand built-in citation styles or create your style.

Support for Word and LibreOffice/OpenOffice for inserting and formatting citations.

5. Citavi – Best Reference Management Software

Citavi is a Microsoft Windows application for reference management and knowledge organization developed by Swiss Academic Software in Wädenswil, Switzerland.

Citavi

  • Work efficiently

Whether you just need a quick bibliography, you’re searching a team library of 20,000 sources, or you want to keep track of notes, Citavi’s tools help you work faster and more effectively.

  • See the big picture

Big projects with tons of sources can feel overwhelming. Break your work down into tasks, keep track of important information from your articles, and sift through your sources to find the ones you really need – alone or in a team.

  • Data security made easy

Citavi is the only reference management program for teams that gives you the option of storing your information on your own server instead of in the cloud. Individuals can also choose between local and online projects. Citavi automatically creates backups so you never lose your information.

  • Write with style

Say goodbye to wasted time formatting citations and bibliographies. Citavi offers over 10,000 citation styles: APA, Chicago, MLA, Turabian, etc., etc. Need one that’s not there? You can create it yourself.

Hope this article helps you to know the Top 5 Free Reference Management Software for Research to organize your research reference articles.

  • Reference Management Software
  • Research Tools

Dr. Somasundaram R

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Advantages and disadvantages of qualitative research methodologies, 45 software tools for writing thesis.

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Organizing Papers and References without Losing your Mind

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In January, Ulrike Träger wrote a great PLOS ECR post describing how to stay on top of reading during graduate school. If you haven’t read it yet, go take a look, as it’s relevant for people at all career stages. As a follow up, here are a few tips on how to keep track of the papers you want to read without losing your mind.

Choose a reference manager. Sure, you can get by creating a poster or two without a reference manager, but it’s incredibly risky to cite references by hand for manuscripts and grant proposals. Choosing and using a reference manager is also a great way to track papers as you collect them, particularly because reference managers often have powerful search functions. There are many to choose from. Some are free, like Zotero and some versions of Mendeley . Others, like Papers and EndNote , are not, though some paid programs may be free through your institution. Spend some time researching which manager fits your needs, but don’t get bogged down, you can always switch later. Personally, I have transferred references from RefWorks to Zotero to Mendeley to EndNote over the past several years without much trouble.

Choose a place to keep unread papers. Whether it’s a physical folder on your desk or a virtual folder on your desktop, it’s important to have a designated place for unread papers. This folder is more than just a storage space, it should also be a reminder for you to review unread papers. It’s tempting to download papers and forget about them, falling prey to PDF alibi syndrome , wherein you fool yourself into thinking that by downloading a paper you’ve somehow read it. So, set aside some time every few weeks (on your calendar if you need to) to review papers. You won’t necessarily read each paper in detail, but you should complete a quick skim and take a few notes. Try to resist the urge to leave notes like “finish reading later.” However, if needed, consider using notes like “need to read again before citing” for papers that were skimmed particularly quickly.

Choose how to keep track of your notes. It’s a great idea to create a summary of each paper as you read it, but where do you keep this information? Some people write separate documents for each paper (e.g., using the Rhetorical Précis Format ), others write nothing at all, but tag papers (virtually or physically) with key words. The exact components of your system matter less than having a system. Right now, I keep a running document with a few sentences about each paper I read. I also note whether I read it on paper or as a PDF so that I can find notes taken on the paper itself later. If I’m doing a deep read on a specific topic, I might also start another document that has in-depth summaries. I usually keep notes in Word documents, but it’s also possible to store these notes in many reference managers.

Choose how to file read papers. Again, having a system probably matters more than which system you choose. Given the interdisciplinary nature of science, it can be complex to file by topic. Therefore, I find it easiest to file papers by last name of the first author and the publication year. It’s also useful to include a few words in the file name that summarize its content. This will help you differentiate between articles written by authors with similar last names. So, for example, using this method, you might label this blog post as Breland_2017_tracking refs. I keep articles I’ve read in a folder labeled “Articles” that includes a folder for each letter of the alphabet. Therefore, I’d file this blog post in the “B” folder for Breland.

TL;DR. The goal of creating a system to organize papers and references is to be able to easily access them later. If you follow the steps above, it’s relatively easy to keep track of and use what you’ve read – if you want to find a paper, you can search for a key word in your reference manager and/or in your running document of article summaries and then find a copy of the paper in the appropriate alphabetized folder. That said, there is no right way to organize references and I’m curious about how others manage their files. Chime in through the comments and we’ll update the post with any interesting answers!

Pat Thomson (2015) PDF alibi syndrome , Patter blog. Accessed 2/27/17.

Ulrike Träger (2017) Ten tips to stay on top of your reading during grad school , PLoS ECR Community Blog.

Sample Rhetorical Précis: http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl201/modules/rhetorical-precis/sample/peirce_sample_precis_click.html

Featured image available through CC0 license.

[…] Organizing Papers And References Without Losing Your Mind – Jessica Breland […]

You have a great organizing skills! I appreciate your tips!

Fantastic tips! Thank you for sharing.

Great tips! It helps me a lot while I’m doing my final diploma project. Thank you.

This is great, very helpful. Nicely written and clearly organized [like your ref lib 😉 ] C

im at the start of my phd and already feeling that i have a lot of literature. i am taking your notes onboard and going to spend some time to organise my files asap. thanks

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Managing Document Files

Re-Naming Files

File name conventions differ for documents you download from the Internet. Some names may just be a series of numbers. Mendeley allows you to easily rename those files to aid consistency, identification and organization.

In Mendeley Desktop, select the document(s) you want to rename, and pull down the File tab and select Rename Document Files.. You get to choose the name convention by dragging fields to the position you want.

research reference organizer

Organizing Files on Your Computer

You can also rename multiple files using the File Organizer . It also can sort your files neatly into a designated folder and sub-folders on your computer's hard drive. To access the File Organizer :

Mac: Mendeley Desktop>Preferences

Windows: Tools> Options

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  • MJC Library & Learning Center
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  • Organizing Your Research
  • Citation Management Tools

Organizing Your Research: Citation Management Tools

Research management tools.

It is a best practice to use a  personal content management  tool to organize your own reference material which could be articles, data sets, books, websites, images and more. These tools will save you time and allow you to work more efficiently. Reference management software programs, web tools, and browser extensions  allow you to organize your research, collect and cite sources, create bibliographies in a variety of styles, add your own notes and keywords to your citations. Many reference managers work with word processing software to format in-text citations and bibliographies for papers and theses, allow you to share references, and enable you to attach or link PDFs to a citation record.

  • NoodleTools NoodleTools helps you format citations in APA, MLA, and Chicago style. With the full version, you can create and organize your research notes, share and collaborate on research projects, compose and error check citations, and complete your list of works cited. MJC has NoodleTools available to all students, staff, and faculty for free. Includes CrossRef DOI lookup.
  • Mendeley Mendeley is a free reference manager and academic social network that can help you organize your research, collaborate with others online, and discover the latest research
  • Zotero Free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources
  • Last Updated: Jan 19, 2023 11:01 AM
  • URL: https://libguides.mjc.edu/organizingresearch

Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 and CC BY-NC 4.0 Licenses .

Welcome to MyBib

Generate formatted bibliographies, citations, and works cited automatically

What is mybib.

MyBib is a free bibliography and citation generator that makes accurate citations for you to copy straight into your academic assignments and papers.

If you're a student, academic, or teacher, and you're tired of the other bibliography and citation tools out there, then you're going to love MyBib. MyBib creates accurate citations automatically for books, journals, websites, and videos just by searching for a title or identifier (such as a URL or ISBN).

Plus, we're using the same citation formatting engine as professional-grade reference managers such as Zotero and Mendeley, so you can be sure our bibliographies are perfectly accurate in over 9,000 styles -- including APA 6 & 7, Chicago, Harvard, and MLA 7 & 8.

Quick features:

RefME Logo

Referencing Generator

Powered by chegg.

  • Select style:
  • Archive material
  • Chapter of an edited book
  • Conference proceedings
  • Dictionary entry
  • Dissertation
  • DVD, video, or film
  • E-book or PDF
  • Edited book
  • Encyclopedia article
  • Government publication
  • Music or recording
  • Online image or video
  • Presentation
  • Press release
  • Religious text

What Is Cite This For Me’s Reference Generator?

Cite This For Me’s open-access generator is an automated citation machine that turns any of your sources into references in just a click. Using a reference generator helps students to integrate referencing into their research and writing routine; turning a time-consuming ordeal into a simple task.

A referencing generator accesses information from across the web, drawing the relevant information into a fully-formatted bibliography that clearly presents all of the sources that have contributed to your work.

If you don’t know how to reference a website correctly, or have a fast-approaching deadline, Cite This For Me’s accurate and intuitive reference generator will lend you the confidence to realise your full academic potential. In order to get a grade that reflects all your hard work, your references must be accurate and complete. Using a citation machine not only saves you time but also ensures that you don’t lose valuable marks on your assignment.

Not sure how to format your citations, what citations are, or just want to find out more about Cite This For Me’s reference generator? This guide outlines everything you need to know to equip yourself with the know-how and confidence to research and cite a wide range of diverse sources in your work.

Why Do I Need To Reference?

Simply put, when another source contributes to your work, you have to give the original owner the appropriate credit. After all, you wouldn’t steal someone else’s possessions so why would you steal their ideas?

Regardless of whether you are referencing a website, an article or a podcast, any factual material or ideas you take from another source must be acknowledged in a citation unless it is common knowledge (e.g. Winston Churchill was English). Failing to credit all of your sources, even when you’ve paraphrased or completely reworded the information, is plagiarism. Plagiarising will result in disciplinary action, which can range from losing precious marks on your assignment to expulsion from your university.

What’s more, attributing your research infuses credibility and authority into your work, both by supporting your own ideas and by demonstrating the breadth of your research. For many students, crediting sources can be a confusing and tedious process, but it’s a surefire way to improve the quality of your work so it’s essential to get it right. Luckily for you, using Cite This For Me’s reference generator makes creating accurate references easier than ever, leaving more time for you to excel in your studies.

In summary, the citing process serves three main functions:

  • To validate the statements and conclusions in your work by providing directions to other sound sources that support and verify them.
  • To help your readers locate, read and check your sources, as well as establishing their contribution to your work.
  • To give credit to the original author and hence avoid committing intellectual property theft (known as ‘plagiarism’ in academia).

How Do I Cite My Sources With The Cite This For Me Referencing Generator?

Cite This For Me’s reference generator is the most accurate citation machine available, so whether you’re not sure how to format in-text references or are looking for a foolproof solution to automate a fully-formatted bibliography, this referencing generator will solve all of your citing needs.

Crediting your source material doesn’t just prevent you from losing valuable marks for plagiarism, it also provides all of the information to help your reader find for themselves the book, article, or other item you are citing. The accessible interface of the reference generator makes it easy for you to identify the source you have used – simply enter its unique identifier into the citation machine search bar. If this information is not available you can search for the title or author instead, and then select from the search results that appear below the reference generator.

Don’t know how to reference a website? The good news is that by using tools such as Cite This For Me’s reference generator, which help you work smarter, you don’t need to limit your research to sources that are traditional to cite. In fact, there are no limits to what you can cite, whether you are referencing a website, a YouTube video or a tweet.

To use the reference generator, simply:

  • Select your style from Harvard, APA, OSCOLA and many more*
  • Choose the type of source you would like to cite (e.g. website, book, journal, video)
  • Enter the URL , DOI , ISBN , title, or other unique source information to find your source
  • Click the ‘Cite’ button on the reference generator
  • Copy your new citation straight from the referencing generator into your bibliography
  • Repeat for each source that has contributed to your work.

*If you require another style for your paper, essay or other academic work, you can select from over 1,000 styles by creating a free Cite This For Me account.

Once you have created your Cite This For Me account you will be able to use the reference generator to create multiple references and save them into a project. Use Cite This For Me’s highly-rated iOS or Android apps to generate references in a flash with your smartphone camera, export your complete bibliography in one go, and much more.

What Will The Reference Generator Create For Me?

Cite This For Me’s reference generator will create your citation in two parts: an in-text citation and a full citation to be copied straight into your work.

The reference generator will auto-generate the correct formatting for your bibliography depending on your chosen style. For instance, if you select a parenthetical style the reference generator will generate an in-text citation in parentheses, along with a full citation to slot into your bibliography. Likewise, if the reference generator is set to a footnote style then it will create a fully-formatted citation for your reference list and bibliography, as well as a corresponding footnote to insert at the bottom of the page containing the relevant source.

Parenthetical style examples:

In-text example: A nation has been defined as an imagined community (Anderson, 2006).* Alternative format: Anderson (2006) defined a nation as an imagined community.

*The reference generator will create your references in the first style, but this should be edited if the author’s name already appears in the text.

Bibliography / Works Cited list example: Anderson, B. (2006). Imagined Communities. London: Verso.

What Are Citation Styles?

A citation style is a set of rules that you, as an academic writer, must follow to ensure the quality and relevance of your work. There are thousands of styles that are used in different academic institutions around the world, but in the UK the most common are Harvard, APA and Oscola.

The style you need to use will depend on the preference of your lecturer, discipline or academic institution – so if you’re unsure which style you should be using, consult your department and follow their guidelines exactly, as this is what you’ll be evaluated on when it comes to marking. You can also find your university’s style by logging into your Cite This For Me account and setting your institution in ‘My Profile’.

Citing isn’t just there to guard against plagiarism – presenting your research in a clear and consistent way eases the reader’s comprehension. Each style has a different set of rules for formatting both the page and your references. Be sure to adhere to formatting rules such as font type, font size and line spacing to ensure that your work is easily legible. Furthermore, if your work is published as part of an anthology or collected works, each entry will need to be presented in the same style to maintain uniformity throughout. It is important to make sure that you don’t jump from one style to another, so follow the rules carefully to ensure your reference list and bibliography are both accurate and complete.

If you need a hand with your citations then why not try Cite This For Me’s reference generator? It’s the quickest and easiest way to cite any source, in any style. The reference generator above will create your citations in the Harvard referencing style as standard, but it can generate fully-formatted references in over 1,000 styles – including university variations of each style. So, whether your lecturer has asked you to adopt APA referencing , or your subject requires you to use OSCOLA referencing , we’re sure to have the style you need. To access all of them, simply go to Cite This For Me’s website to create your free Cite This For Me account and search for your specific style such as MLA or Vancouver .

How Do I Format A Reference List Or Bibliography?

Drawing on a wide range of sources greatly enhances the quality of your work, and reading above and beyond your recommended reading list – and then using these sources to support your own thesis – is an excellent way to impress your reader. A clearly presented reference list or bibliography demonstrates the lengths you have gone to in researching your chosen topic.

Typically, a reference list starts on a new page at the end of the main body of text and includes a complete list of the sources you have actually cited in your paper. This list should contain all the information needed for the reader to locate the original source of the information, quote or statistic that directly contributed to your work. On the other hand, a bibliography is a comprehensive list of all the material you may have consulted throughout your research and writing process. Both provide the necessary information for readers to retrieve and check the sources cited in your work.

Each style’s guidelines will define the terminology of ‘reference list’ and ‘bibliography’, as well as providing formatting guidelines for font, line spacing and page indentations. In addition, it will instruct you on how to order each list – this will usually be either alphabetical or chronological (meaning the order that these sources appear in your work). Before submitting your work, be sure to check that you have formatted your whole paper according to your style’s formatting guidelines.

Sounds complicated? Citing has never been so easy; Cite This For Me’s reference generator will automatically generate fully-formatted citations for your reference list or bibliography in your chosen style. Sign in to your Cite This For Me account to save and export your bibliography.

How Do References Actually Work?

Although the reference generator will create your bibliography for you in record time, it is still useful to understand how this system works behind the scenes. As well as saving you time with its referencing generator, Cite This For Me provides the learning resources to help you fully understand the citing process and the benefits of adopting great citing standards.

The referencing process:

  • Find a book, journal, website or other source that will contribute to your work
  • Save the quote, image, data or other information that you will use in your work
  • Save the source information that enables you to find it again (i.e. URL, ISBN, DOI etc.)
  • Format the source information into a citation
  • Copy and paste the citation into the body of the text
  • Repeat for each source that contributes to your work.
  • Export or copy and paste the fully-formatted citation into your bibliography.

research reference organizer

Manage all your references in one place

Create projects, add notes, cite directly from the browser and scan books’ barcodes with a mobile app.

Sign up to Cite This For Me – the ultimate reference management tool.

Kahana

How to Organize Research: Notes, PDF Files, & Documents

Topics covered ✅.

  • How to organize research papers and PDF files
  • How to organize research projects
  • Organizing research notes
  • Organizing research notes software
  • Organizing research tools
  • Research organizer template
  • How to organize research material

If you are a busy college student, creator, or blogger your life can get really cluttered. But the messiness in our lives can extend much farther than just a dorm room or office. As active researchers, we can often struggle to organize research in the form of copious amounts of articles, journals, academic writings, thesis, rough drafts, etc.

It gets pretty exhausting.

But where do you even begin?

What's the best way to organize research?

We believe we have created the best recipe for organizing your research and you will never go back to your old ways.

1. Note-taking and Mind mapping – How to Hack Your Mind

First, start by organizing your notes into categories. You can do this on a sticky note or on a mind map.

Even though you may feel like a middle school kid using colorful sticky paper, sticky notes are proven to be one of the most effective ways to organize research.

You'll want to do some research before you begin writing.

Use sticky notes to organize the information you find, and write down any thoughts or ideas that come up as you read or listen.

Also, sticky notes are great if you want to jot down quick notes during a lecture or discussion with friends about the topic at hand.

You can write down important points and make connections between them on sticky notes.

An option similar to this is creating a mind map.

If you are a very visual learner, this style of research may appeal to you because you can visually see where you will be taking this research into categories and subcategories.

Plus it’s fun making them!

research reference organizer

2. The Hard Part – Research & Writing

You should be familiar with the different types of sources that you can use when writing a research paper.

5 Examples of Sources

Here are a few examples of sources:

  • Primary sources (original documents like letters or speeches)
  • Secondary sources (articles, books, etc.)
  • Audio files (podcasts, interviews, etc.)
  • Online databases (Academic Search Complete, JSTOR, LexisNexis)
  • Tertiary sources (reviews of other people's research and analysis of your topics

research reference organizer

Bibliographies

When conducting research for your essay, be sure to use academic sources only!

Academic sources are those written by experts in their field who have been published in peer-reviewed journals or books and are therefore considered credible resources for learning more about any given topic.

Academic sources will always include citations at the end of each paragraph (or chapter) so that readers can easily identify where they can go if they'd like to learn more about the topic being discussed in each section of the text.

You can use secondary sources for information about your topic, but make sure that they are academically-reputable sources.

Primary sources are also great for finding information, but they provide only one side of the story and should be used with caution.

Overall, try to use a variety of sources as this will strengthen the argument you are defending.

We recommend putting a lot of emphasis on option five (tertiary sources) because it is something that we were not previously familiar with and we believe it should become more known as it is super helpful.

Tertiary sources are those that have been compiled by other people, such as academic journals and published books.

They can be great resources for getting more background information on a topic, but they aren't original works of scholarship—so be sure to cite them accordingly!

research reference organizer

Quick Bibliographies

As you organize research, there’s no need to get bogged down in how you structure or create your bibliography.

For starters, here’s a simple list of tools for quick bibliographies:

  • Bibliography.com

3. Putting Your Thoughts On Paper

One of the hardest parts is the beginning of the writing process. You should always keep in mind your thesis statement when you write.

It's easy to get carried away with details and forget what you're trying to say—but if you can keep your thesis statement in mind, it will help you stay focused on the main point of your work.

The writing process is a great way to get started with your research because it helps you organize your thoughts before writing them down into sentences and paragraphs.

You'll be able to take notes faster because everything is already written down for you!

Moving on, an excellent strategy that works best for me is just word vomiting onto a page to get a basis of everything you want to say, and then after that is done, organize and clean up what was written.

This is especially useful if you have collected all the data and you just don't know how to put your thoughts into actual words.

research reference organizer

Claim My Free Research Organizer Template

This free research organizer template comes pre-built with folders, subfolders, aesthetic formatting, and much more.

4. The Finishing Touches

If there is anything you should take away from this, it’s to use a reference manager.

Reference managers help ensure that all your citations are correct and up-to-date.

When choosing one, make sure it's compatible with whatever citation style is required by your instructor or institution.

Research doesn't have to be something that you dread or bores you out of your mind.

Being organized can make this process fun and exciting.

So now it's time to put on your thinking cap and get to work.

Notion user? You might also like...

Scribbr Citation Generator

Accurate APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard citations, verified by experts, trusted by millions

research reference organizer

Scribbr for Chrome: Your shortcut to citations

Cite any page or article with a single click right from your browser. The extension does the hard work for you by automatically grabbing the title, author(s), publication date, and everything else needed to whip up the perfect citation.

APA Citation Generator team

Perfectly formatted references every time

Inaccurate citations can cost you points on your assignments, so our seasoned citation experts have invested countless hours in perfecting Scribbr’s citation generator algorithms. We’re proud to be recommended by teachers and universities worldwide.

Enjoy a citation generator without flashy ads

Staying focused is already difficult enough, so unlike other citation generators, Scribbr won’t slow you down with flashing banner ads and video pop-ups. That’s a promise!

Citation Generator features you'll love

Look up your source by its title, URL, ISBN, or DOI, and let Scribbr find and fill in all the relevant information automatically.

APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard

Generate flawless citations according to the official APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard style, or many other rules.

Export to Word

When your reference list is complete, export it to Word. We’ll apply the official formatting guidelines automatically.

Lists and folders

Create separate reference lists for each of your assignments to stay organized. You can also group related lists into folders.

Export to Bib(La)TeX

Are you using a LaTex editor like Overleaf? If so, you can easily export your references in Bib(La)TeX format with a single click.

Custom fonts

Change the typeface used for your reference list to match the rest of your document. Options include Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri.

Industry-standard technology

Scribbr’s Citation Generator is built using the same citation software (CSL) as Mendeley and Zotero, but with an added layer for improved accuracy.

Annotations

Describe or evaluate your sources in annotations, and Scribbr will generate a perfectly formatted annotated bibliography .

Citation guides

Scribbr’s popular guides and videos will help you understand everything related to finding, evaluating, and citing sources.

Secure backup

Your work is saved automatically after every change and stored securely in your Scribbr account.

  • Introduction
  • Finding sources

Evaluating sources

  • Integrating sources

Citing sources

Tools and resources, a quick guide to working with sources.

Working with sources is an important skill that you’ll need throughout your academic career.

It includes knowing how to find relevant sources, assessing their authority and credibility, and understanding how to integrate sources into your work with proper referencing.

This quick guide will help you get started!

Finding relevant sources

Sources commonly used in academic writing include academic journals, scholarly books, websites, newspapers, and encyclopedias. There are three main places to look for such sources:

  • Research databases: Databases can be general or subject-specific. To get started, check out this list of databases by academic discipline . Another good starting point is Google Scholar .
  • Your institution’s library: Use your library’s database to narrow down your search using keywords to find relevant articles, books, and newspapers matching your topic.
  • Other online resources: Consult popular online sources like websites, blogs, or Wikipedia to find background information. Be sure to carefully evaluate the credibility of those online sources.

When using academic databases or search engines, you can use Boolean operators to refine your results.

Generate APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard citations in seconds

Get started

In academic writing, your sources should be credible, up to date, and relevant to your research topic. Useful approaches to evaluating sources include the CRAAP test and lateral reading.

CRAAP is an abbreviation that reminds you of a set of questions to ask yourself when evaluating information.

  • Currency: Does the source reflect recent research?
  • Relevance: Is the source related to your research topic?
  • Authority: Is it a respected publication? Is the author an expert in their field?
  • Accuracy: Does the source support its arguments and conclusions with evidence?
  • Purpose: What is the author’s intention?

Lateral reading

Lateral reading means comparing your source to other sources. This allows you to:

  • Verify evidence
  • Contextualize information
  • Find potential weaknesses

If a source is using methods or drawing conclusions that are incompatible with other research in its field, it may not be reliable.

Integrating sources into your work

Once you have found information that you want to include in your paper, signal phrases can help you to introduce it. Here are a few examples:

Following the signal phrase, you can choose to quote, paraphrase or summarize the source.

  • Quoting : This means including the exact words of another source in your paper. The quoted text must be enclosed in quotation marks or (for longer quotes) presented as a block quote . Quote a source when the meaning is difficult to convey in different words or when you want to analyze the language itself.
  • Paraphrasing : This means putting another person’s ideas into your own words. It allows you to integrate sources more smoothly into your text, maintaining a consistent voice. It also shows that you have understood the meaning of the source.
  • Summarizing : This means giving an overview of the essential points of a source. Summaries should be much shorter than the original text. You should describe the key points in your own words and not quote from the original text.

Whenever you quote, paraphrase, or summarize a source, you must include a citation crediting the original author.

Citing your sources is important because it:

  • Allows you to avoid plagiarism
  • Establishes the credentials of your sources
  • Backs up your arguments with evidence
  • Allows your reader to verify the legitimacy of your conclusions

The most common citation styles are APA, MLA, and Chicago style. Each citation style has specific rules for formatting citations.

Generate APA, MLA, Chicago,  and Harvard citations in seconds

Scribbr offers tons of tools and resources to make working with sources easier and faster. Take a look at our top picks:

  • Citation Generator: Automatically generate accurate references and in-text citations using Scribbr’s APA Citation Generator, MLA Citation Generator , Harvard Referencing Generator , and Chicago Citation Generator .
  • Plagiarism Checker : Detect plagiarism in your paper using the most accurate Turnitin-powered plagiarism software available to students.
  • AI Proofreader: Upload and improve unlimited documents and earn higher grades on your assignments. Try it for free!
  • Paraphrasing tool: Avoid accidental plagiarism and make your text sound better.
  • Grammar checker : Eliminate pesky spelling and grammar mistakes.
  • Summarizer: Read more in less time. Distill lengthy and complex texts down to their key points.
  • AI detector: Find out if your text was written with ChatGPT or any other AI writing tool. ChatGPT 2 & ChatGPT 3 supported.
  • Proofreading services : Have a human editor improve your writing.
  • Citation checker: Check your work for citation errors and missing citations.
  • Knowledge Base : Explore hundreds of articles, bite-sized videos, time-saving templates, and handy checklists that guide you through the process of research, writing, and citation.

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Alphabetizer: Online Alphabetical Order Sorter for Reference Lists

Do you need a list alphabetizer? We know that students often write their papers in a hurry when every minute counts. So, we offer you this free alphabetical order generator! It is a great tool to sort alphabetically your References, Works Cited Page, and Bibliography. Apply any format you need, be it A to Z, Z to A, or by the last names of authors.

Alphabetizer: Online Alphabetical Order Sorter for Reference Lists

  • Alphabetize ABC
  • Alphabetize XYZ
  • Alphabetize by Last Name
  • Blank Space
  • Custom separator

How Our List Alphabetizer Works?

Improving an essay has never been so easy with our list alphabetizer organizer! First of all, you don't need to create an account. So, you can be our guest. The algorithm we've written is user-friendly because your comfort is our top priority. With an ABC order tool, you may sort list alphabetically completely automatically. Just put your numbers in order. We can offer many options. Now, let's look at how our alphabetical name sorter works.

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You may copy and paste your text into a particular alphabetical list organizer field. It will take a few seconds!

Define how to sort and what formatting to use for the results. Manage other fields to alphabetize a list online.

After you click the alphabetize button, our software will put the words in alphabetical order. Just copy them.

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Sort Alphabetically Online and Enjoy Various Benefits

How often were you trying to make an order in your paper? Were you spending a lot of time doing this on your own? Try to sort list online using the latest advanced technology. We are sure when you sort alphabetically online, you will be definitely satisfied with the results. Here are some benefits of using our tool.

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We created a free online alphabetizer accessible to everyone. All you need for instant results — open the StudyCrumb website and start working.

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Our alphabetical order tool provides the best quality! You will receive an accurate and ready-to-use list for your paper in a few seconds.

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Auto alphabetize a list of references or works cited. Be sure we will save the formatting and citation guideline rules you applied.

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StudyCrumb's alphabet sorter is an automated solution. We do not collect or share any personal data. No one will find that you used it.

Need Expert Help?

Looking for something more than a source alphabetizer online? We have an extensive database of academic experts who provide top-quality writing and editing services. Just choose the type of assistance you need, and we will handle the rest.

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Backed by qualified writers, we deliver unique academic papers tailored to clients' specific needs. Have an expert create a customized paper and format the references from the ground up.

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Take your writing to a whole new level with our editing and proofreading services. Our academic proofreaders will polish your writing according to any paper formatting style you choose.

Why Choose StudyCrumb

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Who Can Use an Alphabetical Order Generator?

An alphabetical order word organizer can be used by anyone who works with text — whether you write papers, articles, or research. Let’s see who uses our tool for creating a list in alphabetical order most frequently.

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Academic writing style requires you to provide references from A to Z in order. It can be challenging doing this if you combine sources from various resources. Alphabetize works cited generator is the best solution! Use APA reference alphabetical order generator to ensure the quality of citations.

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Our ABC order sorter provides vast support for academics or scientists who work with massive databases. They usually need to create a reference list for each paper and article. The alphabetical order list maker will manage this task successfully!

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Spend less time making list orders, references, and orders for tables and graphs. Use our instrument and get instant results quickly in a few seconds. Another group of professionals who often alphabetize sources is researchers.

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It does not matter what type of text you are working with. Our tool can help make this work more accessible. For example, you can ​​put names in alphabetical order, organize lists in essays, and ensure that it was done correctly.

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You have a list of words to put in alphabetical order or check if the writer did it right. Our tool is the most effective for such tasks. Do not rely on your manual work. Trust new technological solutions. We will become your best helper.

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Universal ABC Order Generator: 1 Alphabetical Sorter – Many Options

An automatic alphabetizer sorter is one of the frequently used academic tools that help save time. Improve your paper quality and create accurate lists for various assignments. It covers different aspects of any writing work. So, make your academic journey more accessible. You can specify the data you need to remove and choose the appropriate result format. Create various types of sorting — from ABC to XYZ or randomize your list with an online ABC order machine. Use our ABC order word sorter to ensure the quality of the final work version.

Alphabetical-order-of-words

Put Words in Alphabetical Order

Our word alphabetizer is the best tool for editing text or managing any type of data you need to systemize. To put these words in alphabetical order just make some simple steps. Copy and insert them into the specific field, choose the settings you need and get results. We developed advanced settings to ensure our clients get the best and the most accurate results. Use this tool for improving your assignments, checking lists, and systemizing references in your academic paper.

Alphabetical-order-of-names

Organize Names in Alphabetical Order

For creating a list of names in alphabetical order select your text and copy it to our tool. You may have a random list of people you need to systematize. It can be easy if you have only three-five names on this list. But what if you have 100+? How to deal with this case? Need to systematize names, save the suitable citation format, add numbers or capitalize names? We created ​​an alphabetical order generator for names specifically for such cases!

works-cited-list-alphabetizer

Alphabetize Works Cited List

Every student and academic researcher knows how long it can take to manage cited works. And you shouldn’t lose any specific details from a defined citation style. Our works cited alphabetizer for words is the best solution for academic writers. You may work with APA or MLA style and care about all formatting rules to follow. We created works cited page alphabetical order tool to ensure accuracy with your text. You can remove duplicates, brackets, or punctuation. Manage your list in advance.

list-of-references-alphabetizer

Alphabetize List of References

References are the next part of your work that will be checked by your professor. So, you should put list in alphabetical order correctly. Imagine you spent days on the paper and did not get an A because of mistakes in the reference list. That’s why you need to run our tool. At the same time, check on duplicates and, if necessary, remove some common mistakes. Try references in alphabetical order arranger and see how easy your work can be.

bibliography-in-ABC-order-alphabetizer

Alphabetize Bibliography in ABC Order

Bibliography alphabetical order is required for application to fellowship or PhD degree. To do it right, trust StudyCrumb! We work with numerous academic tools and offer professional writing help. We created a bibliography alphabetical order sorter for anyone who struggles with academic assignments or works with texts. Use our tool even before launching research or as a part of your student paper. It will be a million times you will need to put bibliography in alphabetical order, clean the data, manage some links, or add additional information.

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Free Alphabetizer Tool: Put in Alphabetical Order With Ease!

Our text alphabetizer program is based on AI and machine learning algorithms. It ensures the quality of systemizing lists, accuracy, and the possibility of improving the tool. Use it as a last name alphabetizer machine if you have a random list of managed names. You may think that putting words in alphabetical order online is not a big deal. But imagine that the program lost one item in the list, changed formatting, or mixed first and last names. For example, a reference list alphabetizer online for citations is critical for the best university grade or to submit an article for an academic journal. Have 100+ references for paper — put this in alphabetical order first. Delete duplicates and edit them with our tool. Be sure that your work will be appropriately evaluated. We created a tool to put a list in alphabetical order maker. We all were students and some of us work in academia. So, we all want to make education more accessible for everyone.

Why You May Need an Alphabetical Word Sorter?

With a word sorter alphabetical tool from StudyCrumb, your study can become a real joy! It is a simple and intuitive instrument. Use it to make the process of writing an essay a bit easier. When creating a bibliography section, one needs to put words into alphabetical order. That's just a fact that is plain and simple. Our sorting algorithm is quick and efficient just like essay writing help by StudyCrumb. You can have an indefinite number of words and points organized within seconds.  Why our clients use ABC word sorter:

  • Create a list words in alphabetical order very fast. It will take a few seconds!
  • Save time — trust tech solutions to ​​alphabetize words. There is no need to do it manually.
  • Ensure accuracy of final references, check duplicates and add or delete some information.
  • Manage a massive amount of data. For sorting and editing a list with 100 or more items, use an alphabetical word organizer by StudyCrumb.
  • Improve paper or article with automated tools if you have a detailed list of various points.
  • Check someone's/other students’ work and have a time limit.
  • Can not focus on a task for a long time but needs to systemize a long list of items.
  • Automate and store lists for research or tables before running analytical tools.

Intuitive Auto Alphabetizer App for Everyone

Why do millions of students, academics, and writers worldwide choose our alphabetize app daily? The reason is the simplicity and user-friendly interface we offer. Need a citation alphabetizer list? Just copy and paste your text, manage settings and generate the text. What can be easier to use? We added some settings to our bibliography alphabetizer you may need. For example, choose what removal data should be. It can be HTML formatting in case you need clean text. You may remove duplicates or brackets, add numbers or capitalize some words. We have an ongoing dialogue with our clients and improve the tool based on requests.  StudyCrumb is a leader in providing academic tools like text editors, uppercase to lowercase tool, citation makers, word counter , and other essential things for academia. It is famous as our instrument offers many additional options for students simplifying the whole research process. We know what our clients want, as we also have educational and academic backgrounds. It helped create the alphabetizer generator for any type of complicated tasks and assignments. Try it! Get your custom-sorted list now!

Alphabetical Order Organizer for Lists

Our alphabetical organizer generator can create various lists for any situation or case. It covers different students' assignments and helps with writing applications. For example, the bibliography alphabetical organizer free tool became considerable support in case you apply for a fellowship or research project. Save time and get an organized list of references in a few seconds or hire an annotated bibliography writer .  The alphabetical citation organizer we developed helps make an order in research papers, articles, and essays. Imagine you have hundreds of names as well as citations and need to manage them properly. How to do it manually? It will take a long time. But we know how to accelerate this work. Try our tool for an alphabetical order list. Why is it an effective software solution? It can sort your lists, references, and bibliography items in ABC or XYZ order. It can provide a random list if you run giveaways for social media or need to generate random lists for research. Moreover, our alphabetical list maker can sort lists by the second name even if you have the first name in the list. We are 100% sure that our tool can be the perfect solution for complicated tasks. It is free, easy, and safe!

How to Alphabetize My List With Alphabetical Order Sorter for Papers?

“Alphabetize for me the list of items — first and second names.” This is the most common request we receive from our clients. What can we do to meet their expectations? Let's look at how algorithms for alphabetical paper sorter work and how to get instant results in a moment! We can introduce one of the most professional tools for alphabetical order lists creation.  First, enter your text into the first field. This is a list of items without order or editing. Then figure out what setting you need for the best results. Choose how to sort your list — run ABC sorter or choose XYZ order. You may choose to randomize this list or sort by the last name or buy term paper at StudyCrumb. Our online alphabetical sorter for papers is effective for any type of list you're working with. Try our coursework writing service or see how our tool sorts names, items, or reference lists! The next step is to choose how to format the list — with blank space, commas, semicolons, or a new line. You can add numbers or roman numerals, minor or capital letters to your list. Also, you will need to define how your original list was formatted. The last setting is the possibility to remove something from your list. For example, duplicates, punctuation, bracket, or HTML formatting.

Alphabetize Generator: Why StudyCrumb's Alphabetical Arranger?

An alphabetize online tool from StudyCrumb has many options here to choose from. This is why it's so popular among students. Using such an alphabetizing generator will save you more time to focus on the main task like proving your point of view in an essay or researching a paper. If you strive for sublime result, buy a research paper online . Get your custom-sorted list now! Our tool is available for everyone and free to use.  Why choose an AI-programmed tool to arrange in alphabetical order any list?

  • Save your time Our software will put these in alphabetical order on any list. You don't need to do it manually.
  • Ensure clarity The tool will put citations in alphabetical order. It will help make your paper more substantial and valuable.
  • Complete complicated orders We added advanced settings to make your list management more accurate.

We have a solid reputation to provide advanced tools for academics and students. We are pro-team in all academic topics. It helped us create the most popular instruments for students and teachers. Our service also focuses on custom help with your assignments.  How to alphabetize a bibliography? How to manage a reference list? How to improve the text? All answers are on the StudyCrumb website.

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FAQ About Our Alphabetical Order Calculator

If you are looking for how to put works cited in alphabetical order, check our FAQ section first. We tried to cover the most critical students' questions.

1. How to put citations in alphabetical order?

To alphabetize citations lists you need our tool. This is the best way to ensure the quality and accuracy of your work. Our alphabetical order machine is simple and you can access it from any place 24/7. Insert your list, manage settings — choose what you need and click the generate button. You will have your alphabetical order citations in a few seconds. All you need to do is to copy it and paste it into your paper.

2. Do I need to register to use Work Cited alphabetical order sorter?

Using the work cited alphabetical order generator, you don't need to register or share any personal data with us. For example, to use an alphabetical order sorter for bibliography, open the website, insert your list of references, manage some settings, and click generate. We ensure the safety of your search. This tool is free and will be accessible in the future.

3. Can I put my name in alphabetical order using alphabetical list maker?

Yes, you can use an alphabetical name organizer to manage a list of names. It is easy to understand and apply to any type of name list. You can choose how to sort your list in settings. Moreover, even if you have first and second names, you can sort the list by each index.

4. Is this alphabetize tool unlimited?

Our automatic alphabetical order word organizer tool can be used as many times as needed. There are no limitations. We understand that you may have several lists in your paper — our tool is free to use unlimited times. Do not waste your time sorting the list manually. Our agency can do it in seconds.

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Other Tools You May Like

StudyCrumb offers you more than just an alphabetizer. We’ve designed a whole bundle of free writing tools that can improve your academic experience. Check them out below!

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IMAGES

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COMMENTS

  1. Zotero

    Zotero helps you organize your research any way you want. You can sort items into collections and tag them with keywords. Or create saved searches that automatically fill with relevant materials as you work. ... Cite in style. Zotero instantly creates references and bibliographies for any text editor, and directly inside Word, LibreOffice, and ...

  2. Mendeley

    Mendeley brings your research to life, so you can make an impact on tomorrow . Search over 100 million cross-publisher articles and counting. Search. Popular searches: ... Generate references, citations and bibliographies in a whole range of journal styles with just a few clicks. Learn about citing > Career development.

  3. Best Reference Management Software in 2024

    1. Mendeley Reference Manager: End-to-End Reference Manager. Mendeley Reference Manager lets you manage your references quickly and effectively while collaborating with other researchers online. Aside from automatically generating bibliographies, this is one of the best referencing software that lets you organize, store, share, and cite references and other research data.

  4. 15 Best Free Web Tools to Organize Your Research

    Pocket: Save web pages to your online account to reference them again later.It's much tidier than bookmarks, and it can all be retrieved from the web or the Pocket mobile app.; Mendeley: Organize papers and references, and generate citations and bibliographies.; Quizlet: Learn vocabulary with these free online flashcards.; Wikipedia: Find information on millions of different topics.

  5. Mendeley Reference Manager

    The new Mendeley Reference Manager has been built using researchers' feedback to give you what you need to manage your references even more quickly and effectively. Store all your references in one place. Build your personal Mendeley library to organize, search and read all your references.

  6. 7 Great Tools to Organize Citations and References

    1- Zotero. Zotero is a good free tool to help you organize your references. It allows you to save publication data from websites, journal articles, newspapers, PDFs, and more. 'Zotero instantly creates references and bibliographies for any text editor, and directly inside Word, LibreOffice, and Google Docs. With support for over 10,000 ...

  7. Sciwheel

    Access all you need to write your paper in a single location. Find your references and search multiple databases, all within Microsoft Word and Google Docs. Automatically generate your bibliography in one of 7,000+ styles. Never miss an important article with Smart citation suggestions * . More about the Google Docs add-on here.

  8. 10 Best Reference and Citation Management Tools for Researchers

    Nonetheless, JabRef's active community addresses these concerns through regular updates and user support. Overall, JabRef is a valuable tool for researchers, simplifying reference organization and contributing to more efficient and accurate scholarly work. #7. Citavi - Best reference management software for writing.

  9. Speedy Citations: 6 Reference Management Software Solutions ...

    Download our 1-page guide to reference management software solutions now. 1. Mendeley. If you're in a technical or scientific field, Mendeley is an excellent option for you. This reference management software allows users to generate citations and bibliographies in Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, and LaTeX. Mendeley is great for collaborative work ...

  10. EndNote

    Our best-in-class Cite While You Write (CWYW) tool makes it easy to insert your EndNote references into Microsoft Word™ or Apple Pages™. CWYW automatically creates in-text citations and reference lists and easily change the format of your in-text citations and reference lists. CWYW will soon also be available to EndNote 21 customers in ...

  11. Top 5 Free Reference Management Software for Research

    Highlights: 4. JabRef - Free Reference Manager. Highlights: 5. Citavi - Best Reference Management Software. Highlights: Reference management software is used to organize and communicate research papers, as well as to create bibliographies for academic publications. Managing the reference materials that have been downloaded is a difficult ...

  12. My favorite tools for managing, organizing, and reading research papers

    4. Mendeley Reference Manager. I first learn about Mendeley Reference Manager in a forum. Mendeley reference manager is a free tool that helps you store, organize, and annotate your research papers in a single place. The notebook facility enables you to make notes while you read and also collate various highlights that you make in your paper.

  13. Organizing Papers and References without Losing your Mind

    As a follow up, here are a few tips on how to keep track of the papers you want to read without losing your mind. Choose a reference manager. Sure, you can get by creating a poster or two without a reference manager, but it's incredibly risky to cite references by hand for manuscripts and grant proposals. Choosing and using a reference ...

  14. Organizing References

    You can also rename multiple files using the File Organizer. It also can sort your files neatly into a designated folder and sub-folders on your computer's hard drive. To access the File Organizer: Mac: Mendeley Desktop>Preferences. Windows: Tools> Options

  15. Organizing Your Research: Citation Management Tools

    It is a best practice to use a personal content management tool to organize your own reference material which could be articles, data sets, books, websites, images and more. These tools will save you time and allow you to work more efficiently. Reference management software programs, web tools, and browser extensions allow you to organize your research, collect and cite sources, create ...

  16. MyBib

    MyBib is a free bibliography and citation generator that makes accurate citations for you to copy straight into your academic assignments and papers. If you're a student, academic, or teacher, and you're tired of the other bibliography and citation tools out there, then you're going to love MyBib. MyBib creates accurate citations automatically ...

  17. FREE Reference Generator: Accurate & Easy-to-Use

    To use the reference generator, simply: Select your style from Harvard, APA, OSCOLA and many more*. Choose the type of source you would like to cite (e.g. website, book, journal, video) Enter the URL, DOI, ISBN, title, or other unique source information to find your source. Click the 'Cite' button on the reference generator.

  18. How to Organize Research: Notes, PDF Files, & Documents

    Research Paper Organizer [Template] The best way to organize your research paper.Say farewell to writer's block! Starting with this template is the easiest way to organize references, citations, sources, and drafts for a research paper, dissertation, or thesis.

  19. ZoteroBib: Fast, free bibliography generator

    Cite anything. ZoteroBib helps you build a bibliography instantly from any computer or device, without creating an account or installing any software. It's brought to you by the team behind Zotero, the powerful open-source research tool recommended by thousands of universities worldwide, so you can trust it to help you seamlessly add sources ...

  20. Free APA Citation Generator

    APA Style is widely used by students, researchers, and professionals in the social and behavioral sciences. Scribbr's free citation generator automatically generates accurate references and in-text citations. This citation guide outlines the most important citation guidelines from the 7th edition APA Publication Manual (2020).

  21. Free Citation Generator

    Citation Generator: Automatically generate accurate references and in-text citations using Scribbr's APA Citation Generator, MLA Citation Generator, Harvard Referencing Generator, and Chicago Citation Generator. Plagiarism Checker: Detect plagiarism in your paper using the most accurate Turnitin-powered plagiarism software available to students.

  22. Alphabetizer: Sort List & Bibliography in Alphabetical Order

    It covers different students' assignments and helps with writing applications. For example, the bibliography alphabetical organizer free tool became considerable support in case you apply for a fellowship or research project. Save time and get an organized list of references in a few seconds or hire an annotated bibliography writer.