Writing and referencing

If you are writing papers, documents, guidelines or protocols, you will need to mention (cite) the evidence you have used. Reference management software allows you to effectively manage references and automatically create in-text references (citations) and bibliographies for your work.

Reference management software

There are many different packages including Endnote, Refworks and Reference Manager but we would recommend using Mendeley.

Mendeley

This reference management software enables you to:

• create your own database of the information sources you are interested in
• import references from search engines, NHS healthcare databases, Google Scholar and other sources
• organise your references into folders on different subjects or for different purposes
• share references with others
• choose a referencing style from a large selection
• automatically insert citations within the text of a document
• automatically create a bibliography or reference list
• securely access Mendeley on any computer through the desktop client, web browser, or using your mobile app. Your library is backed up in the cloud and always available to you.

Mendeley tools

• Web Importer to add references to your library from your browser
• Mendeley Cite to insert citations and create bibliographies

Getting started with Mendeley

Other Mendeley videos are available on the Illingworth Library YouTube channel and you can download an introductory Powerpoint Presentation.

Contact the library for more information or use the Book a Librarian Service or staff intranet course bookings to arrange a 1:1 session.

Links

Guides to referencing:

• Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust – Referencing Trust Guidelines
• University of Sheffield – Reference Management
• Sheffield Hallam University  – RefWorks

Reference generators

These will create references for you if you do not wish to use reference management software.

• Citethisforme
• Harvardgenerator
• Referencegenerator