Web-based application. Citations are saved online in your RefWorks account. You can also create a backup on your own computer.
How to get it:
UVA Library provides access to RefWorks. See our RefWorks guide to set up an account and to log in.
Strengths:
Works best for users who need to switch between computers, especially using public or shared computers.
You can share citations with other users using the RefShare feature.
Some library catalogs and databases, such as UVA Library's VIRGO catalog, can be searched directly within the RefWorks interface.
The Attachments feature allows you to save articles as well as citations on the RefWorks server and access them from any computer.
Connect back to articles using the Find@UVA button.
UVA alumni can continue to use RefWorks after graduation. If you attached the full text for articles to the RefWorks record for a given citation, the articles will remain after graduation.
Weaknesses:
Available to UVA users only as long as UVA Library subscribes to RefWorks. (Citations can be exported to other reference managers or to a Word or text file.)
Alumni must use their RefWorks account within three years of graduating, otherwise the account will be deleted.
Alumni accounts will not see the Find@UVA button in RefWorks, as this feature is limited to current UVA students, faculty, and staff only.
Desktop download and browser plugin. Citations are saved on your computer and to the Zotero server, and may be synced across devices.
How to get it:
Download at https://www.zotero.org/download/. Options to download "Zotero for Firefox" or "Zotero Standalone" with Chrome, Firefox, or Safari browser plugins.
Strengths:
Easy to access and use from within Firefox (Zotero for Firefox), or Desktop and either Chrome, Safari or Firefox (Zotero Standalone); importing citations can be accomplished with one click.
Share citations with other users and the public using the Groups feature.
Excellent for capturing information about web resources. Allows you to save and annotate websites.
You can save attachments to Zotero’s server or your personal computer.
Connect to articles using Find@UVa.*
Weaknesses:
Use on more than one computer requires syncing; not designed for use on public or shared computers.