RefWorks

August Reference Item of the Month

Import and Organize Citations

RefWorks is a bibliographic tool that supports you in your research and writing. You can import citations directly into RefWorks, which then helps you to organize and format them according to the appropriate style (APA, Chicago, Turabian, etc.) for each paper, class or project. You can import citations from Abell Library's subscription databases, as well as from Google Scholar and from text files containing citation information. You may also enter citation data directly into a form within RefWorks.

Once you have your citations gathered and are ready to begin composing your paper, RefWork's built-in free tool, Write-n-Cite, helps you to insert citations in the proper format as you write. Write-n-Cite must be downloaded to your workstation; if you cannot download Write-n-Cite for some reason (i.e., you are using a public computer) you can use RefWorks One-Line-Cite-View tool instead. Once you are ready to create endnotes, bibliographies and works cited pages, RefWorks formats the citations and compiles these pages for you.

Saves Time

RefWorks is a valuable tool in that it saves you time from the painstaking process of manually creating citations, bibliographies, etc. RefWorks frees your time to dig into actual research and to focus on the content of your composition because you will not have to worry about the nitty gritty details of citation style. Although you are greatly encouraged to proofread the citations, bibliographies, and works cited pages that RefWorks generates for you, much of your time is saved from manually creating these pages.

Collaboration

RefWorks stores and organizes your research and offers another tool called RefShare, enabling you to share your research with classmates or colleagues. RefWorks supports group collaboration and facilitates discussion and decision making relative to references, resources and their applicability to respective research projects.

Always Accessible - with Help Available

RefWorks is accessible on and off campus (via web browser) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Online help is provided and also available via email after hours when the library is closed. When the library is open, help is always available - just ask any Librarian in Abell for help. Free tutorials are offered within RefWorks, as well as free online seminars that teach both fundamental and advanced use of RefWorks.

If you would like to obtain a RefWorks Quick Start Guide, please contact Shannon Fox at (903) 813-2559 or sfox@austincollege.edu.