Choosing a Citation
Management Solution
Elizabeth Uzelac
Instructional Services Coordinator
Librarian for Education
euzelac@jhu.edu
Sheridan Libraries,
Johns Hopkins University

Web-based Databases
Available from any computer
with an internet connection
Most functions not
available for offline use
Specific features
vary by product

Web-based Databases
Automatic exports from
many research databases
Hopkins-licensed, widely
supported on campus
Compatible with all
computer platforms
Organize? Cite websites?
Via Folders Via RefGrabIt
Export? Word Processor Support?
800+ styles, plus custom Write-N-Cite (Word)
Share? Able to handle
Via shared folders attachments
& group accounts (with limits)

Browser Extension
Captures information from
websites, databases, catalogs
Free download
(Firefox only)
Requires Firefox 3.0 for
Windows, Mac, or Linux
Organize? Via Word Processor Support?
tags, annotations, and more Word, Open Office
Export? Version 1.5 (beta)
Thousands of styles includes synching, more

Client Software I
Supports working
while offline
Compatible with
Windows, Mac
Organize? Via Word Processor Support?
tags, annotations, and more Word, Apple Pages
Export? Sharing? Traveling
1,000+ styles mini-library within Word

Client Software II
Strengths in document
and file management
Tend to target particular
disciplines (biomed)

Bookmarking Sites
Available from any computer
with an internet connection
Compatible with all
computer platforms
Organize? Strength in organizing
Via tags, comments online resources
Social focus: can browse Sharing?
& comment on others’ tags Entire library or selected links

Decisions…
Search frequently Manage Informal, quick
in many places? documents? tracking and
sharing?