RefWorks: Online Tool for Managing Citations
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What is RefWorks?
RefWorks is a Web-based bibliographic management tool that allows you to build your own online personal database, manage your references, and generate in-text citations and bibliographies in various citation styles.
Why use RefWorks?
RefWorks simplifies the generation of accurate, concise bibliographies by saving time and decreasing the number of errors made in bibliography creation. It is also a tool that can be used for creating and storing a personal database of article citations, as RefWorks allows users to sort and file references into folders. Because RefWorks is Web-based, users can access their personal account from any computer connected to the Internet.
You can import citations from online databases such as Academic Search Premier or JSTOR directly into RefWorks, organize them by folders, and create a bibliography or list of works cited. Write-N-Cite enables you to insert citations from your RefWorks list into your document as you are writing it.
What citation issues should I be aware of when using RefWorks?
You are responsible for the accuracy of all citations used in your assignments. Check all of your citations carefully. You may need to edit the citation format.
Pay particular attention to the format for citations retrieved through online databases (such as Academic Search or JSTOR). In many citation styles (such as MLA) you must note the database from which you retrieved a source, as well as the date accessed. That information does not automatically export from the database into RefWorks. You will have to add that information as you import it into RefWorks. Use the "Global Edit" function and click on "Electronic Source Related Fields."
See also:
Citation Style guides
UM Code of Academic Integrity
How do I access RefWorks?
Go to the RefWorks login center, and then click on the link "Sign up for an Individual Account." Complete the brief registration form and click Register. If you have already registered, enter your RefWorks Log-in Name and Password and click on the Login button.
When you sign up for an account, you will receive an email confirmation with your login information. Please save that information. If you forget your login name or password, you will need to use the "Forgot your log-in?" link on the Refworks login page.
How do I put citations into RefWorks?
You can send a citation from a database or catalog directly to RefWorks. The process for exporting references from a database and importing them into RefWorks varies, depending on the database. In general, when you find a citation you want to keep, you mark it or add it to a folder within that database, and then export it directly to RefWorks.
For example, to put a reference from Academic Search into RefWorks, click on the Add icon to the right of the citation, which will add the citation to a folder. Then click on the Folder icon in the top right hand corner of the screen, then choose the Export button.
In many citation styles (such as MLA) you must note the database from which you retrieved a source, as well as the date accessed. That information does not automatically export from the database into RefWorks. You will have to add that information as you import it into RefWorks. Use the "Global Edit" function and click on "Electronic Source Related Fields."
You can add references into RefWorks manually. See the RefWorks tutorial linked at the top of this page.
How do I get help using RefWorks?
Find a tutorial, quick start guide and other assistance by using the Help menu when you are logged in to RefWorks. Information is also available at www.refworks.com. Ask UM librarians about using RefWorks by chat, email, phone, or in person: Ask Us!.
What is Write-N-Cite?
Write-N-Cite is a utility that allows you to run an abbreviated version of RefWorks in your word processor and add references to your document with the click of a button. You must do two things to access Write-N-Cite:
- Download Write-N-Cite from the Tools menu in RefWorks.
- Configure the proxy settings (see below). If you get prompted to enter a RefWorks Group Code, it means that you are coming from a non UM-affiliated site and your access to RefWorks via Write-N-Cite will not be accepted.
After you install Write-N-Cite, you will need to add UM's proxy configuration:
- From the Start Menu select Programs > RefWorks > WNC Proxy Configuration Utility.
- Where it asks for the proxy server URL, enter the following (as one long string): http://proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/login?url=https://www.refworks.com/Refworks/?WNC=true
- Click OK.
NOTE: The Write-N-Cite Edit Citation feature will not work for off-campus users, but you will be able to manually edit your citations within the document itself.
Installing Write-N-Cite for Mac users
- Access RefWorks, using the box on the top of this page.
- Create a RefWorks individual account.
- Once you have an account, login to RefWorks.
- From the main RefWorks screen, click on the Tools menu to find Write-N-Cite.
- Download Write-N-Cite.
- On your machine, click on the Go menu and choose Applications.
- Double-click the Write-N-Cite icon.
- From the Write-N-Cite pulldown menu, choose Preferences.
- A popup screen will appear. Choose Proxy.
- In the Proxy Server box, enter this URL (in one long string) http://proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/login?url=https://www.refworks.com/Refworks/?WNC=true
- Click OK
Adapted with permission from Information and Library Services, University of Maryland University College.
