Using RefWorks

Because the database-specific instructions portion of this page has grown so long, it is now on a separate page, Using RefWorks: Export and Import Tips for Specific Databases. All APA output styles have been revised in RefWorks to reflect the newe APA requirements regarding electronic references. RefWorks News Watch the RefWorks Commercial from Arizona State University Introduction RefWorks is a citation-management software package similar to EndNote, ProCite, and Reference Manager. Unlike those three, which must be installed on an individual computer, RefWorks is web-based. So long as you are a registered user, RefWorks can be used from any computer with Internet access. RefWorks allows you to export bibliographic data from commercial, government, and library databases into your own personal database(s). You can organize this database however you like--leave everything in one big file or sort references into folders based on subjects or specific projects. NOTE: If you are an EndNotes user, you are able to import EndNotes databases into RefWorks, OR with registration on Web of Knowledge, you can have access to EndNotes Web. If you are not already an EndNotes user, we recommend that you use RefWorks. Registering/Logging in You must register from a University of Memphis computer so that you will be recognized as a University of Memphis user. Once registered, however, you can log-in to RefWorks by going to refworks.com on any computer, any where, using your username/password and the UofM GroupCode. (The GroupCode is included in the confirmation email you receive from RefWorks on registration.) Go to the Library's Databases A-Z list Choose RefWorks You will be asked to authenticate yourself as a University of Memphis user with your UUID and password. You must do this before you are allowed to access the RefWorks log-in/registration page. If you haven't an account already, click the link--New to RefWorks? Sign up for an Individual Account. This allows you to create your own passwords to use with RefWorks. PLEASE NOTE: You create your own password to access RefWorks. It is not assigned, and no pre-existing passwords work automatically. Known Problems Be sure that your pop-up blocker is turned off--at least for the RefWorks site and for any database you may be importing from. Pop-up blockers interfere with the direct export feature of many different databases. If you use RefWorks on a TigerLan computer, you may not be able to immediately open newly-generated files of bibliographies or papers. Instead of selecting OPEN, choose SAVE and put the file on your desktop. Once the file is saved on the desktop, you should be able to open it. The Direct Export features of many databases work only sporadically in IE, and saving a file to import is a more reliable method of adding references to RefWorks (instructions for direct exporting as well as importing are listed by database below). With Mozilla Firefox, however, Direct Exports usually work. Formatting papers created with Write-N-Cite can be a problem using RefWorks on the Mozilla Firefox browser; there are no problems with IE. You may have problems formatting very large documents (many pages, many references) from within Write-N-Cite. Log into RefWorks to format the paper and bibliography; RefWorks can handle up to 25 mg sized papers. If your paper is larger, remove images, etc., and re-insert them after formatting. You may also have problems with formatting if you proxy in to RefWorks from off-campus through the UofM website. To avoid these problems, go directly to RefWorks (http://www.refworks.com) and log in with the Group Code. IE7 users may experience extreme slowness using RefWorks, due to IE's new Phishing Filter. Microsoft has a downloadable patch that can help at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/9280809. Tips for Finding References to Add Most databases provide citation information for journal articles only. If, however, you want to include records for books in your RefWorks database, you can use the WorldCat(OCLC FirstSearch) database to retrieve bibliographic data. PsycInfo also indexes books and even book chapters in the field of psychology. In addition, the catalog of the Library of Congressand LocatorPlus(the catalog of the National Library of Medicine) are searchable from within RefWorks itself. TomCat, the University of Memphis' web catalog, has limited options for downloading citations. These are not fully compatible with RefWorks; for details see, the TomCat instructions below. Tips for Adding References to RefWorks If you would like a basic overview of the resource, RefWorks provides a useful Tutorial. The Tutorial is broken down into sections, so that if you only want to review how to import text files, for instance, you can look at that part only. Many database have links that automatically connect--or direct export--to RefWorks. All that is required of you is that you be logged in. Sometimes, however, these automatic links may not work. Other databases simply do not provide the automatic feature. With or without a direct export feature, you can still add bibliographic data with RefWorks' import command. (In addition, you can input data manually, should you want to do that. When you are creating a file to import, you must be aware of certain things. Normally, you can only import a bibliographic list that is in "tagged" format. (Some databases make it easier by using the phrase "citation management software" or "bibliographic management software" or naming the relevant software programs, but you may still see the older expression.) A reference in tagged format looks like this: TY - JOUR TI - Eli Lilly & Company; Drug company to update ADHD medication label after reported suicidal thoughts among young patients JO - Lab Business Week PY - Oct 30, 2005 SN - 15526461 SP - 86 UR - http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=914247331&Fmt=7&clientId=37634&RQT=309&VName=PQD AB - Strattera, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is the first FDA-approved nonstimulant to treat ADHD and provide full- symptom relief. It is not known precisely how Strattera reduces ADHD symptoms, but scientists believe it works by blocking or slowing reabsorption of norepinephrine, a chemical in the brain considered important in regulating attention, impulsivity and activity levels. This keeps more norepinephrine at work in the spaces between neurons in the brain. The tags tell RefWorks what to do with the data, where it should be filed in the database, enabling it to format and re-format your references into bibliographies in whatever style you need. In addition, any file you save for importing must be in plain text (.txt). A word or html document will not import so be careful of the form in which you save your file. You may have to manually change names or extensions. NOTE: Some databases create .ris files for import into RefWorks. You will not be able to open these files, but be assured, they are compatible with RefWorks. They will import properly. You will find details under the relevant database names. Tips by Vendor/Database If you have to import a file, it is important for you to know the name of the vendor providing the database, not just the name of the database. Import filters, the code that allow RefWorks to interpret incoming data, are first sorted by vendor name, then by the relevant database, if applicable. For database-specific instructions, see Using RefWorks: Export and Import Tips for Specific Databases Pre-Existing Bibliographies You may also be able to convert existing Word or HTML bibliographies into a form known as BibTex for import into RefWorks, though this is not guaranteed. If you want to try, go to Using RefWorks: Importing Pre-Existing Bibliographies into RefWorks for suggestions. For further information or assistance with RefWorks, contact: Kay Cunningham Electronic Resources Librarian McWherter Library Reference Department 901-678-4345 lkcnnngh@memphis.edu Betsy Park Department Head McWherter Library Reference Department 901-678-8214 ehpark@memphis.edu