When writing a research paper you will use a wide variety of resources. You are required to cite your sources for two main reasons:
For more information, check Why We Cite and How to Avoid Plagiarism.
Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition from Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Chicago Basic Style Guide from Student Learning Support (Toronto Metropolitan University)
Chicago Manual of Style. 17th Edition.
10th floor. Call number: Z253 U69 2017 (1 week loan)
Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Edition
10th floor, Call number: Z253 .U69 2010
So how do you pick the best citation management software for you? There are many factors to consider. For example, if you are an undergraduate student, you might be looking for the fastest and easiest option—something with a short learning curve, which lets you grab citations and produce bibliographies in a snap. Oh, and let's not forget: it needs to be free or cheap.
If you're a graduate student or a faculty member, you might have different considerations: the software needs to work well with the databases you use frequently, it must be able to organize and filter a large number of citations, and it should be able to produce a bibliography in the primary style used in your discipline. If you're working on a research team, you'll also want to make sure the software allows you to collaborate with your colleagues smoothly.
U of T has created this guide comparison chart below to help you examine the different features available and figure out the best option for you. We've adapted it slightly to reflect TMU's resources.
Zotero |
|
|
Mendeley |
|
|
EndNote Web |
|
Adapted from University of Toronto Libraries Citation Management