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APA, MLA, Chicago/Turbian, AMA - Citation Styles: Citation Tools

This resource guide was designed to provide you with assistance in citing your sources when writing an academic paper. Popular citation styles are explained with examples.

Copy-and-Paste Citation Tools

Cite This Item tool screenshotMany databases have copy and paste tools. This example is from JSTOR. Citation tools may be labeled:

  • Cite
  • Cite this source
  • Citation tools
  • Tools
  • Icons, like quotation marks

Computer-generated citations may contain formatting mistakes. Always double-check them against the style guide for accuracy.

Citation Managers

Citation manager apps can make your work easier by 

  • saving and organizing your references in a personal or shared library,
  • inserting formatted citations within your paper,
  • creating a bibliography of your sources.

No citation manager creates perfect citations. Check all your citations before submitting your work.

Citation Manager Comparison

This chart offers a comparison of storing, organizing, and sharing your research with various citation management tools.

  Zotero Mendeley EndNote Basic
Vendor Open source Elsevier Clarivate
Strengths

Connector tool allows for easy reference information capture

Captures website snapshots

 

Sharing capabilities include public and private groups

Crowd sourced database and individual paper recommendations

Share references with other EndNote Online users anywhere in the world.


Use your citations from any computer.

Word Processor Compatibility YES YES YES
Share Resources with Others YES YES If they have EndNote
Operating System Support Linux, Mac, Windows, Zotero for Mobile Mac, Windows, Linux, iOs app Mac, Windows
Cost Free (extra cost for upgraded storage) Free (extra cost for more storage and additional group features) This online-only version of EndNote is available for free but with limited features.
Storage 300 MB 2 GB 2 GB

This guide includes content adapted with permission from the University Library System, University of Pittsburgh.