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Reference Management: Zotero

About Zotero

Zotero is a program that easily works with Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.  Zotero is most useful for:

  • Collecting and organizing different types of references (Web pages, audio, video, etc.)

    • Create citation and capture snapshot of websites with a single click

    • Assign tags to references

  • Working collaboratively

    • Three options for creating groups

  • Inserting citations and creating bibliographies

    • Plugins allow you to insert citations and create bibliographies in word processing documents

    • Create independent bibliography for grant reports, CVs, etc.

    • Quick Copy feature allows you to drag and drop references into any text field (email, blog post)

    • Few output styles standard (such as APA and MLA), but thousands available for download (such as AMA)

  • Working on any computer

    • Syncing allows you to access your Zotero library from any computer with internet access

Get Zotero

Zotero is available for free to everyone.

Basic Instructions to get started with Zotero

Getting Started with Zotero Video

Contact the Medical Library

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medical-librarian@duke.edu

Resource Access Issues and Zotero Connector

We have found recently that the Zotero Connector (the browser add-in you likely installed the day you downloaded Zotero) might be blocking access to resources the library subscribes to (ie PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, etc.).  If you click on a resource from our website and the page seems like it's constantly spinning or reloading, your Zotero Connector may be to blame!

To fix this, navigate to your browser's add-ins or extensions area and toggle the Zotero Connector off or change the proxy settings for that particular resource. Just remember to turn the connector back on when you'd like to save resources to your Zotero library!

If you have any questions, reach out to the library via chat below (9-5, M-F) or via email at medical-librarian@duke.edu.

Zotero Help

Zotero and Word in Office 365

In order for Zotero to work with Office 365 Word, you must download and install a local copy of Word on your computer. To do this:

  • Go to Duke Office 365 online. The easiest way is via mail.duke.edu.
  • In the top right corner of your screen, click on your user icon and select View Account.
  • Down the left hand side, select Office apps, Apps and devices, and then Install Office.  Your computer should detect which version of Office you will require.