This research guide is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International License.
When completing a larger assignment where you need to keep track of many sources or performing your own research, it is recommended to use a citation manager. A citation manager is software tool that helps you collect, organize, and format references for research and writing. It also allows you to generate bibliographies, create in-text citations, and store citation information in a central location.
The Library does recommend using RefWorks, since this is a resource provided to UTEP students, faculty, and staff. To make a better informed decision about your research needs, the different citation managers available are listed below, along with pertinent information related to each.
| RefWorks | Zotero | Mendeley | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Use | Long-Term Storage and Management of Many Sources | Web-Based Research | Storage and Management of PDFs and annotations | Sophisticated Management of Sources |
| Best Features | Ease of Sharing and Collaboration Review and Management of Large Numbers of Sources | User-Friendly Design Screenshot capture of Web material Ease of Adding Sources Recognized by Zotero Ability to Search Full-Text of Attached Files iPhone App (coming soon) | User-Friendly Design Review and Management of PDFs Ease of Adding Sources Recognized by Mendeley Web Compatible | Customization Review and Management of Large Numbers of Sources |
| Disadvantages | Separate Log-In and RefWorks Window Not as intuitive as Zotero More complicated to import references Works best with traditional resources Searching citations is robust - but cannot search the full-text of attached files | Somewhat difficult to manage large numbers of sources |
No Direct Export from databases that are not owned by Elsevier Not ADA compliant |
Tied to your desktop Steep learning curve Complicated to import references Works best with traditional resources |
| Adding Citations to Word Documents | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access | UTEP Library | Browser plug-in | Online or downloaded software | Desktop |
| Format | Web-based | Web-based | Web and Desktop based | Software/Web-based Version (reduced features) |
| Mobile | Yes, iPad app | Yes, a mobile site through zotero.org. There's also an app called ZotPad for iPhone/iPad. | Yes, an app for iPhone/iPad. | Yes, an iPad app. |
| Space Limits | Unlimited | 300 MB | 2 GB | Unlimited* |
| Cost | Free for UTEP affiliates | Free for anyone | Free for anyone | Must purchase (~$135) |
| 500 W. University Avenue : El Paso, TX, 79968-0582 : (915) 747-5672 |