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How to Use RefWorks

Submitted by srf23 on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 12:46

This page will give you detailed instructions on using RefWorks to organize sources, write papers and create bibliographies.

EXPORTING REFERENCES FROM DATABASES

Many of the databases you do your research in can export citations directly to RefWorks. (Click here for a full list.)

Step-by-Step Instructions

(Note: Exact steps will vary from database to database.)

  1. Find and select articles in a <RefWorks-enabled database>.
  2. Mark articles in your result list, then go to the marked list.
  3. Look for the Export icon.
  4. In the export options, select RefWorks or general export.
  5. Sign in to RefWorks if you haven’t already.
  6. Click on View Last Imported Folder to move your articles into the working folder in RefWorks.
  7. Click on Edit to review each record to make sure all the fields have imported correctly.
  8. Edit if needed.
  9. Click on Folder in the toolbar to put the article in an existing folder, or select Create New Folder.

Common Exporting Problems

I exported into RefWorks, but nothing happened. You may need to turn off your browser's popup blocker. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Popup Blocker > Turn Off Popup Blocker. In Firefox, go to Tools > Options > Content and deselect "Block pop-up windows."

I have RefWorks open and have exported items, but I can't find them. No new window opens if RefWorks is already open. The only thing you will see (if you look fast) is the whirling download icon in the corner of one of the RefWorks tabs. Try clicking on the already-open RefWorks tab (which may be open in another browser window).

ADDING REFERENCES MANUALLY

If you have a source that cannot be imported directly into RefWorks, you can add it manually. Remember to include as much information as possible.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Log in to RefWorks.
  2. In the main toolbar, choose References, then Add New Reference.
  3. Select a style format from the drop-down menu (MLA, APA, etc.).
  4. Save to a Folder (existing folder or create a new one).
  5. Select a Ref Type.
  6. Select a Source Type (Print or Electronic).
  7. Fill in the boxes with the green checkmarks next to them.
  8. Add any Notes, Descriptors or Attachments (optional).
  9. Click on Save Reference at the top of the screen. (Save frequently!)
  10. When finished, choose Save Reference or Save & Add New to continue inputting references to folder.
ADDING CITATIONS FROM GEORGE

You can export individual or multiple citations from the Georgetown Library Catalog (GEORGE) to RefWorks.

Step-by-Step Instructions (One Book)

  1. Find a book in GEORGE.
  2. Click the Add to RefWorks link at the right.

Step-by-Step Instructions (Multiple Books)

  1. Find the books in GEORGE.
  2. Save the titles by marking the boxes beside the titles.
  3. Click on Save Marked Records above or below the list of books before moving on to the next page.
  4. Click on the large View Saved icon near the top of the screen.
  5. Under Format of List click on EndNote/Refworks.
  6. Under Send List To click on Screen.
  7. Click on Submit. You will see a list of your marked books on the screen.
  8. Copy this list (highlight text, then Control C).
  9. Open RefWorks.
  10. Under References (in the toolbar near the top of the page) choose Import from the pulldown menu.
  11. Under Import Filter/Data Source select Innovative Interfaces (EndNote/RefWorks Format).
  12. Under Database, select EndNote/RefWorks Format.
  13. Select Import Data from the Following Text.
  14. Paste your list (Control V) into the text box. (Don’t worry about how the list looks.)
  15. Click on Import.
  16. You can now see your references by clicking on View Last Imported Folder.
  17. Edit the references as necessary and move them to another folder if you wish.
EDITING A REFERENCE

RefWorks imports references based on the Import Filters that have been created using data samples from various service providers and databases. This process is not perfect! You need to make sure that records were imported correctly and the right information is in the right fields and fits your selected Output Style. We recommend viewing/editing references right after importing. It will save you time when formatting your final bibliography.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Click the Edit link to the right of the reference.
  2. When the Edit Reference window appears, select a bibliography Output Style (MLA, APA) after "View fields used by."
  3. Fields with a green checkmark are recommended fields for that particular style. Your reference entry may not have information for all fields. You may have to fill in missing information manually or move information from one field to another.
  4. When finished, click on Save Reference at the top or bottom of the screen.

NOTE: Click on any green checkmark to view field-specific notes for the Output Style you have chosen.

Global Editing (Multiple References) Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Once a group of references has been imported into RefWorks, you might notice that all of them are missing date-retrieved data, database name or other information. Before you save them to a folder, click on Global Edit.
  2. Select All in List.
  3. Select Electronic Source Related Fields.
  4. Type in the needed information, then choose Overwrite Existing Data.
  5. Click on Add, then OK.
  6. Save references to selected Folder.
  7. To view full records, select Full View in the dropdown menu below the toolbar.
ORGANIZING REFERENCES USING FOLDERS

RefWorks allows to you sort your references into various folders (organized by topic, paper, project, etc.). You can even put the same reference into multiple folders.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. In the RefWorks main toolbar, select Folders, then Create New Folder.
  2. Give the folder a name.
  3. Choose a reference or multiple references to add to the folder. You may do this from an individual record or from the “References to Use” menu at the top of a list.
  4. Find your folder in the Put in Folder dropdown menu at the top.
  5. When prompted "Are you sure you want to ...?" click OK.
CREATING YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY

Once you have all your references edited and stored, you can generate a bibliography. RefWorks provides hundreds of style formats to choose from: MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. In the RefWorks main toolbar, choose Bibliography.
  2. Select the Output Style desired (e.g. MLA 6th Edition, APA Annotated With Abstracts, etc.).
  3. If your Output Style is not listed, choose Access Output Style Manager, then select your style and Add to Favorites.
  4. Select Format a Bibliography from a List of References, at the bottom of the page.
  5. Select File Type to Create (HTML, MS Word, etc.).
  6. Select which references you would like to include (either All or references from specific folders).
  7. Click on Create Bibliography.
  8. Save the document as usual, or cut and paste into another document.
    9. If a Bibliography List does not show, you can select to Download It or E-mail It to Yourself .
USING REFGRAB-IT TO CAPTURE WEB SITE INFORMATION

RefGrab-It is a tool that helps you capture and save webpages to RefWorks. In order to use this feature you must first download a small, free program.

To Install

  1. Login to RefWorks.
  2. Select Tools from the main menu, then RefGrab-It.
  3. Follow the instructions on the page for your computer and browser.

To Use

  1. Click on the RefGrab-It button when you are on a webpage you want to save. Note that your pop-up blocker must be disabled.
  2. You will be brought to a temporary RefWorks page displaying the citation data.
  3. Click on the Import button and confirm by clicking OK.
  4. Log in to your RefWorks account, if you haven’t already.
  5. Your record will appear in the Last Imported folder.
  6. Edit and Save your reference if necessary. Put it in the appropriate folder.

Note:

CREATING IN-TEXT CITATIONS AND BIBLIOGRAPHIES USING WRITE-N-CITE

RefWorks helps you insert citations directly into your paper. In order to use this feature, you must first download a small, free program called Write-N-Cite.

Installing Write-N-Cite

  1. Open RefWorks.
  2. From the Tools menu, select Write-N-Cite.
  3. Follow installation instructions and launch the program.
  4. Write-N-Cite can now be used within MS Word, but you will need to follow the additional instructions below to use it off campus.

To Use Write-N-Cite from Off Campus

Windows users

  1. From the Windows Start Menu, select Programs and RefWorks.
  2. Select the WNC Proxy Configuration Utility.
  3. Enter the following URL: http://proxy.library.georgetown.edu/login?url=https://www.refworks.com/R...
  4. Click OK.

Mac users

  1. Activate Write-N-Cite.
  2. Select Preferences from the Write-N-Cite menu.
  3. Select the Proxy option and enter the following URL: http://proxy.library.georgetown.edu/login?url=https://www.refworks.com/R...
  4. Restart Write-N-Cite for this proxy configuration to take effect.

You may also use Write-N-Cite from off campus by entering Georgetown's Group Code (available at the Reference Desk).

Creating Citations

  1. Open a Microsoft Word document and start writing your paper.
  2. Put the cursor where the reference citation should be inserted in your text and click on the Write-N-Cite button (it should now be installed in Word, visible in the toolbar).
  3. Enter your RefWorks username and password, then click Login.
  4. Click on View to open the appropriate Folder.
  5. To add a citation to your paper, click the Cite link next to the appropriate reference in the Write-N-Cite window.
  6. A reference will appear in your document. Do not alter the brackets or the text between the brackets. To edit the citation, click on the “Edit Citation” link in the upper-right corner of the Write-N-Cite window.
  7. Save the document.
  8. To format the final paper (adding parenthetical references and the bibliography), click on the Bibliography button in the Write-N-Cite window and select Output Style.
  9. Click on Create Bibliography.
Contact Information: 

David Gibbs at dsg35@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-7595. For technical problems: Yan He at yh83@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-2573.