APA, Vancouver, and Harvard are the most commonly used referencing styles at Monash Health -- see our style guides below.
Clinical practice references in APA 7th
Wondering how to cite clinical practice guidelines in APA 7th? Read this Clinical Practice References guide by APA Style.
More resources for APA 7th
Note: There are numerous variations of the Harvard referencing style -- check with your publisher or supervisor before submission to confirm which version of Harvard is required. The above is based on the Australian Government Style Manual.
Which reference manager is right for you?
This table compares the features and functionalities of common reference managers. Open the PDF to access hyperlinks within the table.
EndNote is a reference management system that helps students and researchers collect, store, manage and share resources. Go to the EndNote user guide for instructions and videos on adding references, finding full text, creating groups, sharing an EndNote library and managing citations & bibliographies. Register for an upcoming EndNote training session via our calendar of events.
You have 4 options for accessing EndNote:
1. Access EndNote 20 software on all PCs in Monash Health libraries - MMC, Casey, Dandenong, Moorabbin
2. Purchase licence via Monash Health IT Online Shop [details here]. Supervisor or manager approval is required. Must be installed on a Monash Health device.
3. Purchase an individual licence for $460. Install on personal device or request Monash Health IT to install.
4. Free download of EndNote to your personal device from a University (if you are a student or affiliated researcher).
EndNote Online is a free, simplified online version of the EndNote Desktop. You can access EndNote Online on any device, effectively allowing you to access, manage and share your references from any computer.
In this section:
For detailed information see User Guide here
There are two ways to create an account:
Method no.1 - Via web browser:
Method no. 2 - Via EndNote Desktop:
Note: You must complete the 'Via EndNote Desktop' steps if you want to sync your desktop library to your online account..
Once registered you have access to your references from any computer with an internet connection. You can also Sync your desktop and online libraries.
Important!! It is recommended you make a backup copy before starting synchronisation
Tips!!
The following quick reference guides outline the steps for configuring EndNote Sync (for Windows and macOS).
Add manually
In EndNote Online - Click the Collect tab > New reference
Import a file (e.g. PDF or RIS)
In EndNote Online - Click the Collect tab > Import References
From a database
Export references from a research databases (such as Medline; Embase; Cochrane etc.) to EndNote Online.
You can export your library as a file that can be uploaded to an EndNote desktop or emailed to yourself or a colleague.
In EndNote Online - Click the Format tab > Export References
In EndNote Desktop, click File > Import. Find the RIS file that you have just created and references will be added to your EndNote desktop library
In EndNote Online - Select Organize > Manage My Groups
Note:
*You can only share with people who have an EndNote online account and you must use their account email address
**Read-only access allows designated users to view references, use them in Word documents, or copy them to their library
**Read & Write access allows the designated user to do everything as read-only access and editing, adding, or deleting references
You can enter citations and a bibliography in a word document using your EndNote Online library. However, you cannot use this feature simultaneously with both applications. Follow these steps to set up your word document so that it will connect with your EndNote Online library:
!!! When you return to your EndNote desktop, repeat these steps but chose application - EndNote
Zotero is a free online reference management tool which can be used on desktop and mobile devices. It collects citations, lets you to create your own libraries for storage and management. It can be used for sharing citations in your study, research and group work. It can search, save and store relevant references while you are using online resources.
To use Zotero, you will require both the Zotero application and the Zotero Connector, an application allowing you to save directly to Zotero from your preferred web browser.
UNC Park Library, 2019, Using Zotero, YouTube, 20 February
Adding items to your Zotero Library
The best way to add items to Zotero is through the Zotero Connector, an application that allows you to save directly to Zotero from your preferred web browser.
Through the use of the Connector, Zotero will automatically find bibliographic information on webpages you visit and allow you to add it to Zotero with a single click. The 'save' button will turn into an icon representing the media you're viewing (the image below shows the save icon for a journal article).
Clicking the save button will create an item in Zotero with the information that Zotero has identified. If it is available, Zotero will also save any PDF accessible from the page or an open-access PDF that can be found for the saved item.
Further instructions, information and support can be located on the Zotero website.
Import Citations
Citation libraries from other reference management software applications such as EndNote, Refworks, and Mendeley can be imported into Zotero.
To export an existing library from your current software application, locate the export option, and decide whether you want to export an individual citation, or an entire list. When saving your file, keep in mind that the following file types are supported by Zotero:
CSL JSON
MODS (Metadata Object Description Schema)
BibTeX
RIS
Refer/BibIX
Unqualified Dublin Core RDF
Endnote XML
XML ContextObject
Web of Science Tagged
MEDLINE/nbib
Import to Zotero
In Zotero, choose the "Import" option from the File menu. Locate the file you exported from the other application, select it, and click the "Open" button. Your exported items should then be filed in your Zotero library in a date-stamped collection.
Please note that PDF files are not included in the exportation - you will need to manually add the PDF file for each citation.
Further information
Listed below are detailed instructions on importing records from the following software applications:
Using Zotero with Word Processor Programs
By using ‘word processor plugins’ – including Word, LibreOffice and Google Docs, you can have new citations placed in your document whilst working on it, at the same time automatically updating your bibliography.
Microsoft Word Plugin
Installing the Zotero plugin will add a "Zotero" tab to the top toolbar of Microsoft Word. The tab contains the following options:
Add/Edit Citation | Add a new citation or edit an existing citation in your document at the cursor location. | |
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Add/Edit Bibliography | Insert a bibliography at the cursor location or edit an existing bibliography. | |
Document Preferences | Open the Document Preferences window, e.g. to change the citation style. | |
Refresh | Refresh all citations and the bibliography, updating any item metadata that has changed in your Zotero library. | |
Unlink Citations | Unlink Zotero citations in the document by removing the field codes. This prevents any further automatic updates of the citations and bibliographies. Note that removing field codes is irreversible, and should usually only be done in a final copy of your document. |
Google Docs Plugin
Support for Google Docs requires use of the Zotero Connector, an application allowing you to save directly to Zotero from your preferred web browser. Use of the Zotero Connector adds a new menu to the Google Docs interface:
The menu provides the following options:
Add/Edit Citation | Add a new citation or edit an existing citation in your document at the cursor location. |
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Add/Edit Bibliography | Insert a bibliography at the cursor location or edit an existing bibliography. |
Preferences | Open the Document Preferences window, e.g. to change the citation style. |
Refresh | Refresh all citations and the bibliography, updating any item metadata that has changed in your Zotero library. |
Unlink Citations | Unlink Zotero citations in the document by removing the field codes. This prevents any further automatic updates of the citations and bibliographies. Note that removing field codes is irreversible and should usually only be done in a final copy of your document. |
Further help and support
Go to the Zotero Guide To Word Processor Integration and Plugins for Zotero for help and further information.
Mendeley is a free reference manager which can be accessed online or via a desktop app. Mendeley lets you create, store, and manage your own reference libraries, and collaborate with other researchers via shared 'Groups'. Mendeley also offers social media functions for researchers.
Key features
Important Mendeley links
Mendeley, 2020, The new Mendeley Reference Manager, YouTube, 29 September
Adding new items to your Mendeley Library
You can add new references in 2 ways:
Further instructions, information, and support can be located on the Mendeley website.
Importing references from literature searching databases
After searching for literature in a database such as Ovid Medline, you can export your search results and add them to your Mendeley library.
For more information about exporting from databases, see our 1-page guide.
Importing a library from another reference manager
Mendeley can import libraries in these file types: RIS (.ris), BibTeX (.bib), and EndNote XML (.xml). When exporting from another reference manager -- such as EndNote or Zotero -- select one of these three file types to ensure that the library will be compatible with Mendeley.
Note: PDFs files are not included in this process. You will need to add the PDFs to Mendeley separately.
Using the Mendeley Citation Plugin
Note: This plugin is currently not available on Monash Health devices due to IT restrictions.
The Mendeley Citation Plugin allows you to cite and reference materials in your Mendeley library. You can cite as you write and update your bibliography at the same time. This plugin is compatible with Microsoft Word or Libre Office on Windows or Mac.
You will need to have installed the Mendeley Reference Manager before you can install the Mendeley Citation Plugin. The 'Install Mendeley Cite for Microsoft Word' option can be found under the Tools menu of the Mendeley Reference Manager:
Once installed, access the Mendeley plugin via the 'Mendeley Cite' button under the References tab in Word. Click on the icon to begin inserting in-text citations and references.
To insert an in-text citation, search for a reference in the search bar and select the reference by ticking the box on the left-hand side. Click 'Insert citation'. The citation will appear at the cursor location in the Word document.
To insert a reference, select 'Insert Bibliography' under the More drop-down menu. The reference will appear at the cursor location in the word document.
Further help and support
Visit the Mendeley website for help and information on installing and using the plugin.
Monash Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung peoples, and we pay our respects to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future.
We are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment that embraces all backgrounds, cultures, sexualities, genders and abilities.