Reference management programmes

Literature management and knowledge organisation are key elements of the academic research process. A wide range of helpful software tools is now available to support and streamline these tasks. These programmes assist you with:

• collecting and structuring sources
• citing correctly and generating bibliographies in accordance with specific citation styles
• searching library catalogues and academic databases
• collecting, organising and visualising your own ideas
• managing and working with full texts, particularly PDFs
• developing ideas and planning tasks
• collaborating and sharing work with other researchers

Alternative Programmes (to Citavi)
Depending on your discipline, intended use, operating system, and individual preferences or requirements, other (free) tools or web-based services for (collaborative) literature management and knowledge organisation may also be suitable.

The Citavi software supports students and researchers throughout every stage of working with academic literature. As the most widely used Windows-based tool in the German-speaking world, Citavi combines literature management with powerful features for knowledge organisation and task planning.

The University Library of the European University Viadrina has purchased a campus licence for Citavi Team, valid for all students and staff until 30 June 2028. The Viadrina offers dedicated support and tailored services for using Citavi, particularly in the context of university-related work.

For further details on free access, getting started, using the specific settings file, and much more, please refer to the following site: tips.

For more information, see this site below.

Zotero is a reference management software developed by George Mason University. It is free to use and open-source, with the only limitation being the amount of cloud storage available for full texts.

Key features:

• Core component: browser plugin (primarily for Firefox; connectors available for Chrome, Opera and Safari)
• Optional desktop client for Windows, macOS and Linux
• Optional web-based version for cross-device use
• Extensive range of citation styles
• PDF management included
• Supports collaboration with shared libraries and group functions
• Integration with word processors: MS Word, OpenOffice and LibreOffice
• Wide range of third-party apps and tools
• Zotero is ideal for researchers seeking a free, flexible tool for collecting, organising, citing and sharing research materials.

Zotero

Mendeley is a reference management tool and academic collaboration platform, originally developed by a startup based in London and New York. It has been part of the Elsevier publishing group since spring 2013.

Key features:

• Desktop client for Windows, macOS and Linux, used in combination with a web service
• Robust PDF management, including annotations
• Designed as a social academic network
• Includes the "Research Catalogue", a central document repository
• Offers literature recommendations based on user behaviour and collections
• Integration with MS Word and OpenOffice / LibreOffice Writer via plugin
• Genuine iOS app available; other mobile tools primarily from third-party providers
• Operates on a freemium model (restrictions apply to the number of private groups and cloud storage capacity)
• Mendeley is especially suited for researchers looking to combine reference management with networking and collaboration tools.

Mendeley

BibSonomy is an open-source software project developed at the University of Kassel, designed to combine literature management with bookmarking.

Key features:

• Web-based tool for social reference management
• Strong focus on collaboration and sharing of references and bookmarks
• Based on the BibTeX standard, making it especially useful for LaTeX users
• Organisation and integration of full texts possible
• Free to use (open source)
• BibSonomy is particularly suited for users in academic environments looking to manage both literature references and web resources collaboratively.

Bibsonomy

Docear is an open-source university start-up project developed in Magdeburg and Berkeley. It is tailored to the needs of researchers and students who work extensively with academic literature, particularly in LaTeX environments.

Key features:

• Desktop client for Windows, macOS and Linux
• Online backup functionality
• Based on JabRef for literature management, with a strong LaTeX focus
• Full-text organisation and integration supported
• Includes mind mapping capabilities to visualise research and ideas
• Offers literature recommendations
• MS Word integration provided
• Free to use (open source)
• Docear is especially suitable for those seeking a unified interface for managing references, organising PDFs and structuring research ideas through mind maps.

Docear

Other programmes include Papers and Refeus (for Mac OS X, Linux and Windows).

Papersapp

Refeus

There is no single reference management software product that can be recommended without reservation. Software comparisons can help you assess and select the most suitable tool for your individual needs or those of your research group, institute, etc. We consider the following comparisons particularly useful:

Comparison by the University Library of TU Munich
Compared programmes: Citavi, colwiz, Docear, EndNote, EndNote Basic, JabRef, Mendeley, RefWorks, Zotero
Comparison criteria (each with various subcategories): General (e.g. price, licensing model, platform), technology, import, data formats, data entry/editing, display/search, collaboration, citation, other functions, usability, miscellaneous.
Note: A previous version of the comparison (version 3) also included Papers (instead of colwiz).

Comparison of SLUB Dresden
Compared programmes: Zotero, Citavi, RefWorks, Mendeley, EndNote, EndNote Basic
Comparison criteria (each with various subcategories): General features, import/export, data entry, display/search, collaboration, citation/export, additional functions, use.

Comparison in the English Wikipedia

Status: Frequently updated and detailed
Programmes compared:
– Open source: BibDesk, BibSonomy, Docear, JabRef, Pybliographer, Referencer, Wikindx, Zotero
– Proprietary: BibBase, Bookends, Citavi, CiteULike, colwiz, EndNote, Mendeley, NoodleTools, Paperpile, Papers, Qiqqa, ReadCube, RefWorks, Scholar’s Aid, SciRef, Sente, WizFolio
– Inactive: Aigaion, Bebop, Biblioscape, Bibus, KBibTeX, refbase, RefDB, Reference Manager
Comparison criteria include: General (e.g. cost), operating system support, export and import file formats, citation styles, reference list formats, word processor integration, database connectivity, password protection, network availability.

For further comparisons and current information on reference management and knowledge organisation, see the platform:
“Literature Management – News, Analysis and Exchange on Software and Services for Personal Reference and Knowledge Organisation”

 https://literaturverwaltung.wordpress.com/