For people who would like an affordable tool to quickly list and organize references, Reference Manager is an excellent choice. I find the latest version of this software en par with other available referencing software packages. First, I find this software to be highly affordable and reasonably easy to use. Secondly, the approximately 400-page user manual contains all of the details required for optimal use of the software.
The latest version allows for searches from different websites including PubMed and ISI Web of Science and other online databases (over 250 databases can be searched). Additionally, I can link the searches to pdf files either online or on my computer. I use this software to organize my pdf files as well as create and search within my personalized dataset. I can search within my database using several options and search fields can be linked using Boolean commands. I create my database using several options provided by the software, including web-based searches, manually feeding-in references and importing references already formatted using Reference Manager or another referencing software program.
I primarily use this software when I want to write an article which will be submitted for publication. The ‘cite while you write’ (CWYW) option enabled by the integration of this software with MS word makes it possible for me to add references either from my localized collection or from the internet as I write a manuscript. I can format the references depending on the journal using the ‘instant formatting’ option. If I do not want to use the CWYW option, then I can generate a formatted bibliography separately and insert it at the end of my manuscript. The software also enables me to edit individual citations in a separate dialog box. I can save the manuscript either with the formatting or without the field codes, depending on whether I intend to re-edit the written material.
This software incorporates several essential features for sorting and organizing my references including searching for duplicates, carrying out spell-check, and grouping references based on a set of key features that I determine. I can classify my data on the basis of up to 37 fields and I can have an input of up to 35 reference types. However, this software does not allow me to store images from online sites; also, I cannot use it for creating a list of figures or tables. I hope these features are made available in the next update.
With the aid of this software, I can download and store references directly from the internet based on the keyword searches. It also speeds up searches from standard internet libraries including PubMed and ISI. There is no upper limit to the number of references I can search and store with this software, which is an added advantage. Additionally, I can store links of articles (either text or pdf) and recall them when required. I can also share the library I have created with others over the internet. With this software, I can export the list of libraries either into Microsoft® Word or as HTML.
I find this software extremely useful for quick searches of online literature, for the generation of libraries and for creating a bibliographic record which can be sorted based on different criteria including authors, topic, year of publication, etc. The software is limited to Windows® and this might be a disappointment for UNIX users. Additionally, I believe that some users might initially find it difficult to learn; however, constant reference to the detailed manual will certainly help in learning to exploit this software for better organizing one’s reference collection.