Reference management

Zotero

Zotero is a reference management software for managing bibliographic data and research materials (such as PDFs). It is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux and it is open source (i.e., you can download it free of charge), programmed at the Center for History and New Media at George Mason University. Features include a web interface to manage your references, browser integration (i.e., automatically adding an article PDF or a web page into your reference library), online synchronization (i.e., backing up your library of references), generation of formatted citations, footnotes, and bibliographies, as well as integration with Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer and Google Docs (i.e., you can easily create citations and a reference list in those word processors). In addition, it supports BibTeX (LaTeX). The programs allow collaboration and sharing of libraries (e.g., if you want to share literature within a student group).

Mendeley

Mendeley is a desktop and web application produced by Elsevier to manage and share research documents, discover research data, and collaborate online. It combines Mendeley Desktop, a PDF and reference management application available for Windows, MacOS and Linux. It also provides Mendeley for Android and iOS, and Mendeley Web, an online social network for researchers. The Software is not open source (but you can download it free of charge).

EndNote

EndNote is a commercial reference management software used to handle bibliographies and references when writing essays and articles. The program is available for Mac and PC but not for Linux. It is produced by Clarivate Analytics (formerly Thomson Reuters). EndNote is available free of charge to students and employees at UiB (for further instructions and guidance). This is one advantage because library staff might be able to help you when you have questions. Another advantage is its integration with ISI Web of Knowledge (a comprehensive database for scientific literature). The disadvantage is that it is a commercial software (i.e. you have to pay for it if want to continue you to use it after your time at UiB, the price is about 2 500 kr).