| I Need to: | Use: | Why: |
|---|---|---|
| Work from multiple computers or locations | Zotero | Zotero saves your citation library to your local computer, but syncs with multiple computers so you can work from home, work, or school. EndNote Web is web based. Your citation library is accessible from any computer that is connected to the web. |
| Work without an Internet connection | Zotero Mendeley EndNote | Zotero,Mendeley and EndNote can store your citation libraries locally on your computer. |
| Archive web pages and import citations from sites such as Amazon, Flickr, and ArtSTOR | Zotero | Zotero allows you to easily save snapshots of web pages and annotate them within your citation library. It is a great tool for saving citation information from some web-based publications and commercial and social networking sites. |
| Work on a group project or share my citations with others | Zotero | Zotero allows you to share your citations through shared folders -- you can give individuals or groups permissions to add and edit the citations in the shared folder. Mendeley allows you to share citations and documents with a group of up to 10 other users, or create a public reading list that is open to all. EndNote Web allows you to share groups with anyone who is registered with the service. You can allow others to view or edit your citations. |
Mendeley uses a plugin to format in-text citations and reference lists in MS Word. The functionality of this plugin is limited, but it is simple and easy to use.
Adapted with permission from “Choosing a Citation Manager,” copyright © 2011 The Pennsylvania State University.
- Mendeley can easily import references from other reference management softwar (EndNote, Zotero and similar programs) or from files of citation lists saved from databases. Step 1: Export your files from the other software into a Research Information Systems (.ris), BibTex (.bib), EndNote XML (.xml), or Zotero Library (zotero.sqlite) format.
- Either change to 'Standard' privacy or add www.mendeley.com and www.elsevier.com to the 'Exceptions' if you choose 'Strict' or 'Custom' privacy. For more information you can have a look at Mozilla Firefox's page on enabling and disabling cookies.
- Visit the Firefox Add-Ons store and click 'Install'. If you see 'Remove from Firefox' then Mendeley Web Importer is installed, but it may be hidden in your toolbar. To view hidden extensions, click the hamburger menu in the top-right of the Firefox browser window.
Features Shared Between Zotero and Mendeley
Mendeley Firefox Extension
Free to Use - Zotero and Mendeley are both free for anyone and you only have to pay if you exceed your free storage limit (300 MB for Zotero, 2 GB for Mendeley).
Capture, save and add value to citations - Capture snapshots of web pages, library catalog and database searches, and to export PDF articles. You can add value to your research by adding notes and annotations, or by attaching related files (Word, PDF, PPT, etc.) to your citations.
Mendeley Firefox Not Working
Collaborative tools - Share your citations and collaborate with other researchers publicly, and both Zotero and Mendeley have the ability to create private groups (unlimited in Zotero, limited to 1 group with 3 people in Mendeley).
Mendeley Firefox Importer
Applications to take your research with you - Zotero and Mendeley have desktop applications, browser extensions, and mobile applications. They also have word processor plugins that allow you to create dynamic citations and bibliographies that can update if needed. Finally, Zotero and Mendeley will be available to you even after you leave PSU.