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Bibliographic Management Software: Zotero FAQ

Citation tracking software using EndNote, Endnote Web, and Zotero. Examples of citation styles and how to track scholarly article citations.
URL: https://guides.lib.uci.edu/bms

Zotero FAQ

Zotero FAQ

Zotero (http://www.zotero.org/) is a Firefox add on that collects, manages, and cites research sources. It's easy to use, lives in your web browser and it's free. Zotero allows you to attach PDFs, notes and images to your citations, organize them into collections for different projects, and create bibliographies. Visit Zotero’s Quick Start Guide for details and tips.  Note that some features discussed on the web site are available only in the new 2.0 Beta version, which might not function properly for all users.

How do I install Zotero?  
Zotero will run on any operating system but it only runs on the Firefox 3.0 or higher web browser.

To download Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox//.

Instructions to Download Zotero extension:

  1. Go to http://www.zotero.org and click the Red Download button on your right.
  2. A dialog box will appear, click on Install Now. (Note: Check the Zotero installation page for any download problems.)
  3. Install the citation plugin for Microsoft Word, OpenOffice or NeoOffice for ease in citing items from your Zotero library.

How can I find an item I've added to Zotero in the UCI library (print and online)?

Go to Zotero's OpenURL Resolvers page for quick configuration details to integrate UCe-links (aka University of California Libraries OpenURL Resolver) to Zotero,

Can Zotero import citations from the Melvyl online catalog?

Yes. Zotero allows users to import search results from Melvyl directly.

 

Can I access my Zotero library from multiple computers?

Yes, using Sync with the Zotero 2.0 Beta version, although library items and attached files are handled separately:

  1. Library items (citations and metadata) can be stored on Zotero's servers if you create a zotero.org account.
  2. Attached files (PDFs, images, videos) can be stored using Zotero's File Storage but there is a 100MB limit.   

With Zotero version 1.x, you can store your library on a portable storage device:

  1. Install a portable version of the Firefox web browser on an external USB drive
  2. Download and install Zotero in Portable Firefox just as you would in regular Firefox.

 

 

 

What are some of the Pros and Cons of using Zotero?

Pros: 

  • Automatically updates itself to work with new online sources and bibliographic styles.
  • Great for importing non-traditional references, e.g. wikis and websites.
  • The program lives in the browser.
  • Ability to index PDF files, enabling full-text searching of articles in your local collection.
  • Ability to store image files and archived web pages.
  • Enables users to add notes, highlight, and annotate web pages or other bibliographic records.
  • Intuitive user interface.
  • Integrates with Microsoft Word, OpenOffice and NeoOffice.
  • Free to user.

 Cons:

  • Limited bibliographic styles available.

  • Requires more maintenance of import records than other programs, e.g. RefWorks or EndNote.

  • Does not have a feature to filter duplicate records, requires manual deletion.

  • Can be used only in Firefox.

     

Get the latest information on Zotero’s features and limitations

Where do I find more information?

Visit Zotero’s Frequently Asked Questions webpage