Bibliographic formatting software / Personal reference database programs

"Many scientists already consider bibliographic management software a "must-have" item. In a recent poll conducted by The Scientist (Perkel, 2001), 76% of respondents indicated that they use such a program to organize their reference material collection." (Fitzgerald 2002, p.43)

These software packages are not only relevant to scientists. Social scientists, humanities scholars and librarians use such software to support their information management habits.

Bibliographic management software or bibliographic formatting software (BFS) packages have been designed specifically to assist the researcher manage their information. These programs - which include Endnote - allow you to export citations to a word processing package to use as footnotes, or for a bibliography. They will automatically transform your citation into the correct format for any of its listed referencing styles. This means that you can set up one file to use for any number of papers. You can use this software to create a bibliography for a paper in a journal that uses Harvard referencing style, and then a second copy for a journal that uses the APA style.

These programs also allow you to connect to online databases, search for the references you need, and retrieve those references (in the required format) without leaving the package. Others allow you to download references from online databases, and then import them into the program. No more 'copying and pasting' or retyping! This is a marvellous feature, and is one of the reasons why many librarians recommend Endnote, and other such programs.

Advantages

Disadvantages

the ability to manipulate data to produce a variety of referencing styles, and to export this every time you write a report, paper or thesis
allows you to import data from electronic databases, and to manipulate this
have powerful searching facilities which allow you to access your citations from multiple access points, including date/ publisher / keyword …
the ability to share files with other researchers who are using the same program
compatability with word processing packages
often have 'helplines' or electronic discussion lists, where you can exchange ideas or ask for assistance
many major suppliers now include a variety of fields in their record structure, which permit additional information to be added (such as extensive abstract and note fields)

the time commitment necessary to create files in the first instance, especially if you are transferring these from an existing file system
with some packages, imported data may require considerable manipulation to ensure it is in an acceptable format
it can sometimes be faster to retype citations than manipulate the existing data or files (from databases)

Looking at the advantages and disadvantages above, would any of these features be of some help as you organise your information? Would some of the facilities of these programs suit your 'hooks'?

CQU has purchased a site license for the program 'Endnote'. This means that all staff and students of the University can obtain a copy from the CQU Information Technology Division (for free).
http://itd.cqu.edu.au/cs/csc/students/software/software.htm

Endnote manuals are available for loan from the CQU Library, and some guides have been created to help you use this program.
http://www.library.cqu.edu.au/services/staff-research/endnote/index.htm

Many of the following accounts describe how the individuals value and use the Endnote program. They also include some strategies and hints when organising your information using this program.

Jo Luck (Senior Lecturer in Informatics and Communication)

Associate Professor Marie Brennan (Education)

Margaret Appleton (Director, CQU Library)

Margie Wallin (Health Science Liaison Librarian)

The web addresses for three other related programs are listed below. From these sites, demonstration software can be downloaded, and some user guides are listed. Depending on your specific information management needs, one of these programs might be of more use to you.

* Reference Manager
http://www.citewise.com/referencemanager/

* ProCite
http://www.citewise.com/procite/

* Papyrus
http://www.rsd.com/

The following website is a useful resource, which

* looks at BFS programs,
* provides up-to-date reviews of the software, and
* provides links to other related sites and sources of information.

Electronic Research
http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/chorus/eresearch/index.html

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