====== Reference Management ======
This page is about reference management using Zotero. A shortcut to this page: [[http://palabas.org/ref|palabas.org/ref]]
===== Collection =====
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For your desktop or laptop, install Zotero to build your collection as well as manage your references and digital resources. Steps:
  * Download [[https://www.zotero.org/download/ |Zotero Standalone]]
  * Install the appropriate **browser connector** (see bottom of the Zotero download page). 
Zotero enables you to automatically populate a bibliographic entry by searching external databases (or by entering an ISBN, PMID, or DOI), thus avoiding the tedious job of manually typing or cutting-and-pasting information. Here's where you'll put in the ISBN, PMID or DOI info:
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Zotero also parses the metadata from a pdf file by simply dragging a file to the Title column of your collection.
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Another particularly nifty functionality of Zotero is the integration of [[https://unpaywall.org/|Unpaywall]]. Everytime you save a journal entry from a site with paid subscription, Zotero can look for a legally free version of the same article using the Unpaywall database. Or, if you already have a journal entry with no attached pdf copy, you may right click on it and "Find Available PDF" will present itself as one of the options.
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Recommended: If you're only starting with Zotero, test it well using entries for diverse source or media types. \\

**Tip**:   organize collection by "libraries" for easy export to other repositories or for back-up or sharing with other researchers.
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===== Sync=====
Once Zotero is installed in your desktop or laptop and you've familiarized yourself with it well, consider syncing your data or files with a remote repository like your own WebDAV server. You can configure this under Preferences.
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If you've installed Zotero on different computers, this setup enables you to harmonize your collection. Make sure pressing "Verify Server" gets you a positive response.

Another option for syncing resources is via [[https://zotero.org|zotero.org]], especially if you don't have sizable data or files.

[[https://zotero.org|zotero.org]] also allows you to form groups for sharing, editing references, and maintaining **group libraries**. Consider setting your group as private if you're concerned about privacy. 

===== Backup  and Export=====
Syncing already provides you with automatic backup. Manual backup can also be done by exporting your collection or library to some other storage media. "Export Library" (click File | Export Library) provides options to tranform your collection into different reference formats and schemas.

===== Publishing Entries on Eprints=====
Once a collection is exported, it can be imported and published via Eprints (or any other repository for that matter). The recommended format in this case is BibTeX. Here's a sample screencast:
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{{youtube>wDvHGAVv1R4?large|uploading Zotero group collection to Eprints }}

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See more uses: [[Zotero User Tips]]
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===== See Also=====
  * [[Zotero User Tips]]
  * [[http://libguides.mit.edu/zotero|Zotero at MIT]]
  * [[http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/zotero|Zotero @Penn State U]]
  * [[Tips for eLib Contributors]]