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What is Zotero?

Zotero is a free citation management tool that allows you to keep track of the sources you find when conducting research and to cite them in the citation style of your choice.

Unlike some other free citation management tools like Mendeley, Zotero is able to create footnotes or endnotes in Chicago Style 17th edition, which makes it a good choice for students in Philosophy courses. If you are interested in learning more about the differences between Mendeley and Zotero, please refer to the following chart.

There are many benefits to using Zotero including:

  • All the sources you find will be in one place, and can be tagged or organized into folders
  • Zotero is one of the most popular citation management tools, so there are many helpful videos and tip sheets on how to use it effectively
  • Using the Zotero tools in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, you can cite sources as you write and automatically generate a bibliography in the citation style of your choice
  • As a free tool, you will continue to have access to your Zotero account when you are not longer a student or are studying at another institution

Installing Zotero

To access all of the benefits of Zotero, you will need to install the following on your computer. Versions are available for both PCs and Macs.

1. Zotero Desktop

2. Zotero Connector

Once you have installed Zotero Desktop, you will also see a new Zotero tab in Microsoft Word

Please refer to the following step by step instructions for more details on this process.

Additional Resources on How to Use Zotero

How to Add Resources from LibrarySearch to Zotero

1. Log into LibrarySearch with your MyMRU username and password.

2. As you find resources that interest you, click on the pin icon to save them to your favourites list.

3. When you are finished searching, click on the pin icon in the top right next to your username to see your favourites list.

4. Check off the resources you would like to add to your Zotero account, click on the three dots, and select Export RIS. Download the RIS file to your desktop.

5. In Zotero Desktop, select File - Import. Select the RIS file on your desktop and select Finish.

Librarian

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Cari Merkley
She/They

Contact:
Email: cmerkley@mtroyal.ca
Phone: 403.440.5068
Office: EL4423U