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Zotero: Collecting references

A short introduction to Zotero reference management software

Collecting references

There are two ways to add a new reference:

  1.  You can add a new item by pressing the document symbol with the plus sign Add reference button and choosing the item type
  2. Or you can click on File then choose new item.

Add new reference

Enter in the details of the item by clicking on the fields on the right-hand side, this will automatically save:

edit reference fields

Alternatively, you can add an item via the ISBN or DOI which will automatically populate the fields. To do this, select the magic wand button magic wand button then enter the ISBN or DOI. Do check the details are correct, for example in this one, adding via ISBN didn't retrieve all the authors.

Zotero add via ISBN or DOI

Import references from a .RIS file

You can import references from a .RIS file which you may have downloaded from a database. To do this go to ‘file’ in your Zotero app and choose ‘import’.

As described above

Then choose “a file” and “next”.

As described above

Then select the file you want to import from your documents.

Then an options field will turn up, press ‘next’.

As described above

Then your references will be imported into your Library.

Firstly, ensure you have synced your Zotero library to the web version. Then make sure the Zotero Chrome Connector is installed. Then follow the steps below:

  1. Press the three dots on the top-right of chrome, go to ‘extensions’, then ‘manage extensions’ and choose Zotero.
  2. Check the ‘pin to toolbar’ option is selected.
  3. Go to ‘extension options’. In extension options under save to Zotero.org, choose ‘authorize’. Then you may be prompted to add your Zotero log in details.

Manage Zotero extension

Now when you navigate to a site or journal article which you want to reference, then press the document button Add reference button after the URL and you will have the option to save to ‘My Library’ or if you choose more you can select one of your collection folders.

Import article reference

Then the article should immediately appear in your application library, though always check the record details are correct.

Once you’ve done the initial set up you can just press the article Zotero icon every time you want to save a reference to your library.