Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
 
Logo Utrecht University
RSS | Contact & directions | Site-info
Nederlands
Email this page
Print this page
a a a
Library

RefWorks support

The University Library supports the use of the bibliographic management service, RefWorks.
The web-based character (you can access your literature anywhere, anytime), the options for sharing literature and the simple way in which references can be imported make RefWorks a good choice for literature management.

With RefWorks you can:

  1. Import literature references from search engines (Scopus, Google Scholar, Omega or subject related literature databases) or from publishers’ websites such as Elsevier Science Direct or SpringerLink);
  2. Enhance your literature data (with your own keywords), organise them (in folders), locate duplicates and search your data;
  3. Share your literature references with others. In this way, lecturers can share a folder containing a reading list for a particular course, students can make reading lists available to their supervising lecturers and researchers or students can collaborate using shared folders or even shared accounts;
  4. Cite your literature simply in a Word document and generate bibliographies fully automatically in the layout style of your choice (e.g. Harvard, APA, MLA, Chicago or in the format style of a specific journal).

How does RefWorks work?


RefWorks is easy to use. If you run into trouble or want to learn about advanced functionality, please check:

Directions for importing data from databases (A-Z) to RefWorks:


Database
 Most convenient importing method and remarks

(in case of direct import there is a simple button or link in the database for exporting to RefWorks; the browser will mostly jump to the RefWorks window automatically if RefWorks is already open - sometimes you have to confirm by clicking OK - and it will import your references)

Unless stated otherwise it is advised to access the database as well as RefWorks through links on library website (e.g. from the list of databases). This ensures your access rights are recognised.
 
ACS importing method: direct import

Tip: to access this database select electronic journals on the library homepage. Select the listing by publisher and click ACS. Follow the link of any journal and click through to ACS.
 
Agricola importing method: direct import, but take note:

in database:

  • check relevant search results
  • click the diskette icon
Analytical Abstracts importing method: direct import, but take note:

in database:

  • check relevant search results
  • click the diskette icon
Animal Behaviour Abstracts importing method: direct import
Année Philologique importing method: direct import
Anthrosource importing method: direct import
 
ATLA Religion Database importing method: direct import
 
BioMed Central importing method: direct import
 
CAB Abstracts importing method: direct import, but take note:

in database:

  • check relevant search results
  • go to the Results manager, select Export to RefWorks and click save
Utrecht University Library Catalogue

 importing method: save&import

in database:

  • make sure to use the English interface of the catalogue!
  • check the titles you wish to export in the results list (do not use the full record view) 
  • click Download/mail
  • click Go
  • click OK 
  • copy all text (using <control-A> and
    <control-C>)
in RefWorks:
  • select References/import from menu
  • import filter: University Utrecht
  • database: catalogue Utrecht University
  • pasta the text copied in the box below Import data from the following text
N.B. This procedure does not work for titles that have been saved as a set in the library catalogue.

Tip: lookup the title found in the catalogue in WorldCat and use the easy direct export available there (see WorldCat further down this list).
 
Cinahl

importing method: direct import, but take note:

in database:

  • put selected references in a folder by clicking Add to folder under each reference
  • click the Folder icon at the top of the page
  • again select the references your wish to export
  • click the Export icon on top of the page, select Direct Export to RefWorks and click Save
Cochrane Library importing method: save&import

in database:

  • tick References
  • click Export selected citations
  • choose either Citation or Abstract and citation
  • click Go and next Open
  • copy all text using <control-A>
in RefWorks:
  • choose References/import from the menu
  • import filter: University Utrecht
  • database: Cochrane database
  • choose Import Data from the following Text
  • paste text into box using <control-V>
  • click import
EBL (Electronic Book Library) importing method: direct import
 
Ebsco Academic Search importing method: direct import, but take note:

in database:
  • click Add to folder below the articles you want to export
  • in the right hand or top right menu, go to Folder view
  • tick the papers you want to export
  • in the right hand menu, click Export
  • select Direct export to RefWorks and click Save 
EMbase importing method: direct import
 
ERIC importing method: direct import
 
Faculty of 1000 biology importing method: direct import
 
Film & Television Literature index

importing method: direct import

in database: 

  • in order to export one reference: click on the title, then Export and Direct Export to RefWorks  
  • in order to export more than one reference: per title, click on Add to folder or click on  Alert / Save / Share and add your titles per page. Then click on Go to: Folder View, then Export and Direct Export to RefWorks  
FSTA importing method: direct import
 
Google Scholar

 importing method: direct import, but take note:

in database:

  • click Scholar preferences and select RefWorks under Bibliography manager
You can only import one record at a time. When importing, RefWorks shows you a preview of the citation for you to check because of known problems with data from Google Scholar.
 
Highwire importing method: direct import
 
Historical Abstracts

importing method: direct import

in database: 

  • in order to export one reference: click on the title, then Export and Direct Export to RefWorks  
  • in order to export more than one reference: per title, click on Add to folder or click on Alert / Save / Share and add your titles per page. Then click on Go to: Folder View, then Export and Direct Export to RefWorks
     
InformaWorld

 importing method: save&import

in database:

  • select saving format: RefWorks
in RefWorks:

  • choose References/import from the menu
  • import filter: Utrecht University
  • database: RefWorks tagged

Tip: to access this database select Electronic journals on the library homepage. Select the listing by Publisher and click InformaWorld. Follow the link of any journal and click through to InformaWorld.
 

IngentaConnect

 importing method: save&import

in database:

  • save in BibTex format
in RefWorks:

  • choose References/import from the menu
  • import filter: University Utrecht
  • database: ACM digital library BibTex

Tip: to access this database select Electronic journals on the library homepage. Select the listing by Publisher and click Ingenta. Follow the link of any journal and click through to Ingenta.
 

International Bibliography of Art (IBA)

 mporting method: direct import

or:

Use My Research. References saved in My Research are automatically saved in your RefWorks account.
 
International Medieval Bibliography

importing method: save&import

in database:

  • export
  • select Download, as Format: .txt - Refworks Tagged Format 

in Refworks:

  • select References/import from the menu
  • importfilter: University Utrecht
  • database: Refworks Tagged Format
International Pharm. Abstracts importing method: direct import
 
JSTOR importing method: direct import
 
LexisNexis Academic importing method: direct import
Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts (LLBA) importing method: direct import

or:

Use My Research. References saved in My Research are automatically saved in your RefWorks account.
 
MetaPress see InformaWorld
 
MLA importing method: direct import

or:

Use My Research. References saved in My Research are automatically saved in your RefWorks account.
 
Muse importing method: direct import
 
Narcis import method: RefGrab-It, but take note:

  • some information might not be importing properly; this needs manual check and correction.

to use RefGrab-It, please view the instruction video or read the extensive tutorial.
 

Nature importing method: save&import

in database:

  • [you can only export one record at a time]
  • go to an abstract or full text
  • click Export citation and save [N.B. If you also have EndNote installed, right-click and choose Save target as ... / Doel opslaan als ...]
in RefWorks:

  • choose References/import from the menu
  • select the file just saved on your hard drive 
  • select as import filter: University Utrecht
  • select as database: RIS import format
Omega importing method: direct import
 
Personal Library (by Utrecht University Library) importing method: save & import

in database:
  • check references you wish to export
  • choose export from the drop down menu on top of the reference list and click OK
  • choose Save File to save the file in a folder of your choice on your hard disk, with .ris as the extension; click Save
in RefWorks:
  • choose References | Import from the menu
  • import filter: University Utrecht
  • database: RefWorks tagged format
  • browse for the file you saved on your hard disk using import data from text file and click import
Picarta (use the English language interface!)

 importing method: save&import

in database:

  • make sure to use the English language interface
  • click Save after executing a search
  • enter the number of refrences for download
  • choose as Format: MOPC; ISO-8859-1; deselect Word wrapping
  • click (Download to) screen
  • copy all text from the new window
in RefWorks:

  • choose References/import from the menu
  • import filter: Picarta 
  • database: Picarta
  • paste the copied text into the box under Import Data from the following Text

Tip for book titles: lookup the title found in Picarta in WorldCat and use the easy direct export available there (see WorldCat further down this list).
 

Philosopher's Index importing method: direct import
PsycInfo

 importing method: direct import, but take note:

in database:

  • check relevant search results
  • go to the Results manager, select Export to RefWorks and click Save
Pubmed

 importing method: save&import

in database:

  • select the desired items from your search results
  • hit Send to
  • choose as format: Medline
  • choose as destination: File
  • choose Create file and Open
  • save as *.txt file
in RefWorks:

  • choose References|import from the menu
  • import filter: University Utrecht
  • database: Pubmed-NLM

N.B. When you only want to import a few known items from Pubmed there is an easy way. You can search directly from within RefWorks, with direct import:

  • from the RefWorks menu choose Search and then Online catalog or database
  • select Pubmed from the list
  • enter the information you have under Quick Search for or Advanced search for
  • check the publications you were looking for in the Search Results list
  • click Import

Another alternative is the simple Pubmed access at Hubmed which offers direct import.
 

RepEC

 importing method: save&import

in RefWorks:

  • choose References/import from the menu
  • import filter: University Utrecht
  • database: RepEc-RIS
RILM Abstracts of music literature

importing method: direct import

in database: 

  • in order to export one reference: click on the title, then Export and Direct Export to RefWorks  
  • in order to export more than one reference: per title, click on Add to folder or click on  Alert / Save / Share and add your titles per page. Then click on Go to: Folder View, then Export and Direct Export to RefWorks  
Science Direct importing method: direct import
 
Scifinder Scholar  importing method: save&import
 
Scientific Commons importing method: save&import

in database:

  • click the citation you want to import
  • choose Endnote/RIS download and save
in RefWorks:

  • choose References/import from the menu
  • import filter: University Utrecht
  • database: Scientific Commons
You can only import one record at a time. 
 
Scopus importing method: direct import

N.B. There are problems with importing from Scopus when your selection of articles contains records that originate from Sociological Records (recognisable by the blue button "Abstract on CSA"). In that case all records below the first one from CSA are ignored. Until this is fixed in these cases please use the workaround: instead of using the direct export to RefWorks save your selection in RIS format. Then import this file in RefWorks using Reference > Import. Select Utrecht University as filter and RIS import format as database. The problem has been reported (2010-0318).
 
Sociological Abstracts importing method: direct import

or:

Use My Research. References saved in My Research are automatically saved in your RefWorks account.
 
SpringerLink importing method: save&import

in database:
  • select article by clicking the title
  • click Export citation
  • choose RefWorks under Select citation manager
  • click Export citation and save the .ris file
in RefWorks:

  • choose References/import from the menu
  • import filter: University Utrecht
  • database: Springerlink RerfWorks tagged RIS
TOXNET

 importing method: save&import

in database:

  • tick references, click on Save
  • Display saved items
  • select saving format: Tagged format
in RefWorks:

  • choose References/import from the menu
  • import filter: Utrecht University
  • database: Toxline (tagged) [Toxnet]
Web of Science importing method: direct import
 
Wildlife & Ecology Studies Worldwide importing method: direct import

in database: 

 

  • in order to export one reference: click on the title
  • in order to export more than one reference: per title, click on Add to folder, then on Go to: Folder View
  • Click on icon Export to Bibliograhic Manager Export to Bibliograhic Manager
Wiley InterScience importing method: save&import

in database:

  • select saving format: Plain Text format
in RefWorks:

  • choose References/import from the menu
  • import filter: Utrecht University
  • database: Wiley InterScience
Women’s studies international

importing method: direct import

in database: 

  • in order to export one reference: click on the title, then Export and Direct Export to RefWorks  
  • in order to export more than one reference: per title, click on Add to folder or click on  Alert / Save / Share and add your titles per page. Then click on Go to: Folder View, then Export and Direct Export to RefWorks 
WorldCat (largest database with booktitles) importing method: direct import, but take note:

in database
  • click the title you wish to export to get to the full record view
  • from there click Cite/export
  • click Export to RefWorks
For books, this is a good alternative for Picarta and the library catalogue.
 

 

Do you miss a database in this list? Please, let us know.

On the Refworks website is more information on importing from databases.

back
top