RefWorks software allows you to import references for books, journal articles, videos, etc. from online databases, organize your references into folders according to your topics of interest or for particular assignments or projects, insert references in a variety of formats (e.g., MLA and APA) into the body of your research paper, and generate formatted references pages. All of your references will be stored on the RefWorks server, so you can access your references from any location with an Internet connection.
To set up a RefWorks account from on campus, Go to: http://www.bc.edu/refworks. Click on "Sign up for an Individual Account." Enter your name, a sign-in name, password and email address. NOTE: It is not necessary to use your BC username and password as the account username and password. You can use any username and password that will be easy for you to remember. It is not advisable to use your BC password. Click on REGISTER.
2. How do I login to RefWorks when I'm on campus?
Go to http://www.bc.edu/refworks/ and log in.
3. How can I access RefWorks from off campus?
You will need Boston College’s Subscriber Group Code. Once you have the Group Code, go to http://www.refworks.com and click on the Login link. You will be asked to put in the Group Code. On the next page, you will be asked to enter in the username and password that you chose when you created your account. You should then be logged into your RefWorks account.
4. If I'm working with a group, can we share a RefWorks account?
An individual can create more than one account using the same email address, but creating different usernames and passwords for each account. This can be useful when working on group projects. The username and password can be shared with other members of the group for one of the accounts and each member can login into that RefWorks account only and add, organize or delete information. Each member of the group can finally utilize the bibliographic resources from the group RefWorks folder while writing their paper and let RefWorks format the bibliography according to the style needed.
5. How can I import database search results into RefWorks?
As with other bibliographic management tools, RefWorks uses filters to import citation information into folders that you have created in your RefWorks account work area. After performing searches, save results as text on any of your local drives. Select the appropriate filter for the database you searched and import the file. If you are searching using a Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (CSA) database you can export your selected citations directly into your RefWorks account. For information about importing record information for different databases see "Import Overview" from the RefWorks site.
6. How do I import records from Database CrossSearch?
Please note: These directions will not work if you have EndNote installed on your computer.
To begin your search, click on Locate my Resources. Select the resources that you want to search and click on GO. The search screen will appear. Enter your search terms. When your results appear, select the ones you want to import into your RefWorks Bibliography and click on SAVE. Select file format: Citation Manager. Then save your citations to the computer or diskette.
Open RefWorks and import your citations, using Desktop Bioblio. Mgt. Software as the Import Filter/Data Source and Endnote v 5.0 as the Datasource.
7. How do I export records from an EndNote library and then import them into RefWorks?
To export records from EndNote you must select the correct Output Style for the export. Under the File Menu select Output Styles. Open the Style Manager and check the RefMan (RIS) Export format. Close the Style Manager and once again go to the File Menu, select Output Styles and select the RefMan format.
Next, select the references you want to export and go to the Reference Menu and select Show Selected (or Show All if you wish to export the entire database). From the File Menu select Export and a dialog will appear for you to select the location where you want to save the file. Type in a file name and select a location you will remember for importing into RefWorks. Use Text as your Save As type and click on Save.
Go into RefWorks and click on Import. Select Desktop Biblio. Mgt. Software as your Import Filter and EndNote as your Database. Browse for and select the file you just created from EndNote. Click on Import. During the import process, an asterik (*) is added to the import progress page for each imported record. RefWorks will notify you when the import is complete. View the Imported References.
8. How do I export records from RefWorks into an EndNote library?
Login to RefWorks. Click the Export button and select either All References or a specific Folder. Under Export Format select Bibliographic Software (for EndNote, Reference Manager, or ProCite.) This format is sometimes called the RIS Format or Reference Manager Format.
Click the Export to Text File button. The text file will appear on your screen. Save this file to your computer before closing and remember where you saved it and what you named it.
Open your EndNote Library. Select Import. Click on Choose File button and select your saved RefWorks file. Choose the RIS as the Import Option
Click on Import
9. How do I insert record information into my paper or manuscript and automatically format my internal references and bibliography?
Write-N-Cite is a utility which allows Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer users to run an abbreviated version of RefWorks in their word processor. This version of RefWorks displays author, title, and year only, with a full view option available if needed. With Write-N-Cite a user can cite references in a manuscript with the click of a button. The utility installs a Write-N-Cite icon on your desktop as well as an Add-in to your Word toolbar and a menu option under Tools for launching Write-N-Cite. View more information about Write-N-Cite and download the Write-N-Cite utility program to your computer. Please note: You must have Windows 98 or above, Internet Explorer 5.0 or above, and Word 2000 or above to use Write-N-Cite.
If you are not able to use Write-N-Cite, you can insert references and a bibliography by doing the following:
Open your Word processor and write your paper. When you are ready to insert a reference, login to RefWorks. Click on One line/Cite View at the top of your reference list. Click the Cite link next to the reference you want to insert. The Citation Viewer window will pop up. Click Select Citation. Go to the Edit Menu and choose Copy.
Go to your paper. Click where you want to insert the reference. Go to the Edit Menu and choose Paste.Make sure to go back to the Citation Viewer and select Clear when you are done inserting the reference. When you have finished inserting references, save and close your paper.
To generate your bibliography, click the Bibliography button in RefWorks. Choose the citation format (e.g., MLA, APA) from the Output Format pull down menu. Select Base Bibliography on Manuscript.Use the Browse button to find and select your paper. RefWorks will automatically add your references and bibliography. When it is finished, make sure to save your paper.
10. How do I export all my bibliographic information?
If you wish to export all or some of your bibliographic information, you can export it in a form that can be imported to another bibliographic management program, like EndNote, a comma-delimited file, or as a text or Word file (e.g. a formatted bibliography or citation list).
11. If a filter does not exist for the database I work in, who should I contact to see if one can be built?
Refworks has filters built for importing bibliographic record information for many databases and information vendors. If you do not find a filter for the database that you use, you can request that RefWorks look into creating one for your database. While logged into your RefWorks account at the top of the page there is a link to "Request Filter/Format." Keep in mind that it may not be possible always to create a filter for importing record information from your database. Often, it depends on how the database provider tags and organizes the record information. The limitation may be the fault of the vendor and not RefWorks.
12. How can I use Find It to import references?
If a Find It button appears for a citation that you would like to add to your RefWorks account, click on the Find It button and click the RefWorks Direct Export Tool. If you are not already logged in to RefWorks, the RefWorks login screen will appear behind the Find It window. Simply login, and the selected citation will be added to your "Last Imported" folder.
13. Where can I get more help with RefWorks?
For additional help with RefWorks, please see the RefWorks Help pages and RefWorks.com's tutorial.