Getting StartedUsing RefWorks

Linda Neyer, Health Sciences/Sciences LibrarianRevised 3/2013

What is RefWorks?

• RefWorks is a web-based service that allows users to build their own personal research database. This service is available to BU faculty, staff, and students

• RefWorks enables users to organize, edit, link to available full-text, cite references, and prepare bibliographies

• Because it is entirely web-based you can access it from any computer with Internet access

Create an Account

• Access RefWorks from the Library’s home page > Citing > RefWorks

• Remote Users: Enter through the Library’s web page via the same path

BU Group Code = RWBUP

Exercise 1: Create your own individual RefWorks account

Creating Your Database

There are multiple ways to enter references into RefWorks:

• Direct import (from an online database service like EBSCOhost, Proquest, Web of Science, WorldCat, Google Scholar etc.)

• Import from a text file (records from PILOT, the online catalog)

• Entering references manually (alternative to Citation Machine or EasyBib)

Direct Import from an Online Database Service

• After performing a search in Academic Search Complete (EBSCOhost), save records in folder, click on Folder Has Items

• Select desired records, then Export• Select Direct Export to RefWorks and then Save• When the import is complete, Edit Fields if

necessary • Select View Last Imported Folder to view the

records from Academic Search Complete

Exercise 2: Perform a direct import of references from the Academic Search

Complete database to RefWorks

Organizing Your ReferencesOrganize your research by creating folders for your

references:• Inside RefWorks click on the button New Folder and

name your folder• To put your recently imported references into this folder

select All in List and click on the drop-down menu to select your recently created folder

• Now the references that you imported from Academic Search Complete are in the appropriate folder

Exercise 4: Create a new folder

Creating Bibliographies

To create a Bibliography or Works Cited page using the references in this folder click on the Bibliography link on the navigation bar and work top-down:•Choose the desired Output Style from the drop-down menu•Select a File Type to Create (probably Word)•Select References to Include •Now Create Bibliography

Exercise 5: Create a bibliography using references in folder

Writing and Citing Your PaperTo create a paper using the RefWorks Write-n-Cite feature• Launch/Download the Write-n-Cite Program• Open your MS Word document• Put the cursor in your Microsoft Word document where

the reference should be inserted; click Cite next to the appropriate reference to insert placeholders

• Save your document (note: depending on which Write-n-Cite version you’re using, these directions may vary. Check the Help videos)

Exercise 6: Download and use Write-n-Cite

Generating In-text Citations and a Bibliography for Your Paper

After your paper with in-text placeholder citations is complete, generate your bibliography by following these steps:

• Using the same document and the Write-n-Cite feature, click on Bibliography

• Select the Output Format• Click on Create Bibliography • Save your new MS Word document

Exercise 7: Create a Bibliography

Entering Records Manually• Access your RefWorks account and from the navigation

bar select References > Add New Reference • Select Output Style, Folder, Ref Type, and Source

Type• Enter bibliographic information in the boxes provided • Click on Save Reference when finished

The do-it-yourself lobotomy : open your mind to greater creative thinking by Tom Monahan, New York : Wiley, c2002.

Exercise 8: Manually enter the above book citation into RefWorks

Importing References from Google Scholar • Navigate to Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com

on campus; if off-campus use link from Library site)• In upper right corner, click Settings > Bibliography

Manager > RefWorks and ‘Save Preferences’• A link to ‘Import to RefWorks’ will appear in any search

results

• When record is sent, it opens an ‘Edit Reference’ screen; edit and ‘Save’ to desired folder [Caveat: GS provides minimal info and often no abstract so you’ll want to beef up the info]

Exercise 9: Import record(s) from Google Scholar into RefWorks

Additional Features

• Search PILOT, our catalog, from within RefWorks (to add records to RefWorks)

• Use RefShare (to share folders with colleagues and students)

• Use RefGrab-It (to ‘grab’ bibliographic information from web pages like Amazon.com)

• Check out ‘Help’ tutorials and files within Refworks

• Ask a librarian for help!