Skip to Main Content

Conducting Literature Reviews

Using Citation Managers

Citation managers are tools that allow you to collect, organize, cite, and share information sources.  You can use them to keep track of your reading, organize literature reviews, and can help you cite sources in your writing.  There are many options available  - some are free, and others require a paid subscription.

Citation Managers

MyEBSCOhost folders is a built-in resource management and saving system built into our EBSCO databases.

This is a free tool that you can use to easily save your research while you are searching in the library databases.

With this tool you can:

  • Collect and store resources found throughout the HU EBSCO searches (this includes items that we don't own)
  • Have convenient ways to access or request these resources as needed
  • Have access to the other tools in the databases, including citation and share tools
  • Easily make customized folders to save resources
  • Save searches for future access
  • Add notes to resources

EndNote online is a Web-based citation management tool.

An EndNote account allows you to:

  • collect and store references saved from database searches
  • upload and attach PDF documents to references 
  • insert references into Microsoft Word documents using the Cite-While-You-Write plug-in
  • share references with other EndNote online users

Creating an EndNote online account

  1. Log onto Web of Science
  2. Select the "EndNote" link on the upper toolbar
  3. Select "Register" in the login window

Once you have created an EndNote online account via Web of Science, you can access your account directly at: https://www.myendnoteweb.com/EndNoteWeb.html

To use the Cite While You Write plugin with Word, you'll need to install an additional plugin.   Look for the "Downloads" link on your EndNote menu & select your operating system to download the CWYW plugin.

Endnote accounts created through Web of Science have additional features beyond the free Endnote Basic version.  If you leave Harrisburg University, your Endnote Online account will remain available, but will convert to the Basic version.

Mendeley is a free citation manager and academic social network.  It includes:

  • Full-text search across papers
  • Organize and annotate PDFs and other documents
  • Create citations and bibliographies
  • Collaborate and share resources

The free version of Mendeley limits you to:

  • 2 GB of personal web storage
  • 1 Private group of up to 3 people
  • 100 MB of group web storage

How do I get Mendeley?

To start using Mendeley:

  • Create a Mendeley account at: https://www.mendeley.com/
  • Download and install Desktop version of Mendeley
  • Open Mendeley on your computer and log in using your account credentials

Zotero will allow you to:

  • Organize and annotate PDFs and other documents
  • Create citations from databases
  • Tag your citations for greater searchability
  • Create citations and bibliographies
  • Collaborate and share resources

How do I get Zotero?

Download and install Zotero from the Zotero website. 

Install browser connectors to allow you to collect sources as you work online.