Tips for Using RefWorks to Organize Your Research

RefWorks is not only helpful for creating bibliographies and footnotes, but can also be used to organize your research so that you are more efficient and accurate when you cite. Below are some suggestions about feature in RefWorks that can help you stay organized.

Using Folders

RefWorks includes a system of folders where you can store your references. To create a folder, go to your RefWorks account and select Folders/Create New Folders. Using folders can help you save time when you are writing your paper and are ready to cite.

Below are some suggestions about how to use RefWorks folders for your research..

• Create a folder for each assignment or project. When creating bibliographies or using Cite-N-Write, you can find citations easily by selecting just one folder.
• Immediately move imported references into a folder. When importing references from a Library database, they are moved into your "Last Imported Folder". If you do not move them to a folder, they will then be moved to your "References Not in a Folder" folder. References can quickly add up in this folder, making it very difficult to locate the item you need.
• Cross-reference. References can be in more than one folder at once, which means you easily include them in folders for similar projects or papers.
• Be careful when deleting references. Chose the option to "Remove from Folder" when you want to remove a reference. Selecting "Delete" will delete the reference from your entire database.
• Share your folders with other users. You can use RefShare for collaborating with research partners.

Using User Fields

Each reference in RefWorks includes 5 User fields which can be customized for your use. You can use these fields to enter identifying keywords, input direct citations, or any other notes or information about a specific source. These fields can then be searched for easy access when you are ready to cite.

To add information to the User fields, select Edit for the citation you would like to access in RefWorks. Just enter the information you want in the specific field and then click Save. To search user fields, go to Search/Advanced in RefWorks. Select the folder and fields you would like to search, and then enter your keywords.

Below are some suggestions about how to use RefWorks User fields for your research:

• Primary vs. Secondary Sources: Use one of your User fields to indicate whether the source you included in your RefWorks database is a primary or secondary source.
• Chapter Notes: Indicate what chapter(s) a reference is needed for.
• Direct Quotations: Type in direct quotations from your source (including page numbers, of course) so that you connect citations with a specific source in your database. The information can also be quickly cut-and-pasted into your documents.
• Annotated Bibliographies: You can enter annotations regarding a source for a bibliography and then edit your output style to include the user field in your bibliography.

There are additional ways that RefWorks can be used to help you organize your research. If you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to ask a librarian for assistance.