Projects

Projects are similar to folders. Click Projects to view all of the projects you have created or to create a new one.

Saved

Click Saved to view all of your bookmarked articles, eBooks, etc. as well as your saved searches.

From the Saved items view, you can

• Remove bookmarks
• Add items to a Project
• Share links to your items
• Download a .csv file of your bookmarked items with detailed information.

Searches

Click Searches to view your Search history and Search alerts you have set up. Click a search term to re-run the search.

Viewed

Click Viewed to see a list of articles and eBooks you previously viewed. Click the title to return to the details of the article or eBook.

Research takes time and practice. It's common to have to do your searching in multiple sessions. Searching is an iterative and cyclical process, so it is important the sources you have found are properly documented and easily accessible.

 Choose a Method of Organization

• Folders and Subfolders: Create a primary folder for your research project. Within this, have subfolders for different themes, chapters, or sections of your paper.
• Naming Conventions: Use clear and consistent naming conventions for files and folders to easily identify their contents (e.g., AbbreviatedArticleTitle_PublicationYear).

Documenting Sources

• Keywords: Keep track of which search terms you have used for the articles you decide to keep. If you want to find similar articles to one you've already found, this will be helpful as you do another search.
• Research Logs: Maintain a research log in a spreadsheet or document. This log should include key details like the article title, author names, publication dates, titles, URLs or DOIs, and which library database or search tool you were using.
• Annotation: Summarize key points, arguments, and quotes in your own words and note the page numbers for easy reference.

Reference Lists

• Compile References: As you gather sources, continuously update your reference list in a separate document. It can be a time saver to alphabetize your reference list as you add to it.

Citation managers can be used to store and organize of the sources you have found. You can find both free and paid tools through a quick Google search. The top three citation managers are described below.

*It is important to note that Rasmussen University does not provide subscriptions or direct support for these tools. Students are responsible for setting up and maintaining their own accounts. You can find tutorials and troubleshooting tips on each of the citation manager's homepages.

Zotero

Zotero is a free, open-source citation manager that helps you collect, organize, cite, and share research materials. It integrates with web browsers to easily save sources from the web and offers plugins for word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs for seamless citation management.

Mendeley

Mendeley is both a reference manager and an academic social network that allows you to organize your research, collaborate with others online, and discover the latest research. It offers free and premium versions, with the free version providing ample storage for most users. Mendeley also supports citation generation in various formats and integrates well with Microsoft Word. It’s known for its PDF annotation capabilities, allowing users to highlight and add notes directly on documents.

EndNote

EndNote is a comprehensive citation management tool that provides advanced features for managing references and creating bibliographies. EndNote offers desktop and online versions, with robust integration with Microsoft Word. While it is a paid software, its advanced functionalities and flexibility make it a preferred choice for researchers managing large bibliographies.