RefWorks

New RefWorks tutorials

In addition to the RefWorks guru, I am the tutorial queen today. If you check out the "Watch Tutorials" section at the RefWorks Help Center, you'll see about 4 new tutorials--handily marked "New!"

If you have any tutorials you'd like to see, feel free to contact me (skearns @ k-state.edu).

RefWorks unavailable on January 2, 2010

Due to maintenance, RefWorks will be unavailable on January 2, 2010. They are updating their servers and getting a new IP address (that means something to somebody, I'm sure).

Right now, we're anticipating that this will go smoothly. 

However, if you'd rather be safe than sorry, you may wish to backup your RefWorks account. Here's a tutorial showing you how to do so.

Compendex, Engineering Village and RefWorks

Here are brief instructions and a video tutorial for export references out of Compendex and into RefWorks.

1.  Mark the box next to the records I want
2.  Click on the Download button (it's one of the blue buttons at the top of the search results screen)
3. Choose RefWorks direct import (this will come up as a pop-up screen)
4. If you aren't already logged in to RefWorks, another window will pop-up or open and request your log in information
5. Once you are logged in, RefWorks will automatically import the citations

Video--there is sound (me, talking) on this video.  Depending on your preferences, you'll want to either turn on the sound on your computer or turn it down--the volume is sometimes a little excessive.

Creating a reading list in K-State Online

This rough tutorial demonstrates how to create a reading list in RefWorks and post it in a K-State Online class.  This takes advantage of the Get It! button and the attachment feature in RefWorks.  The tutorial runs 5 minutes and you'll want to have your speakers on (unless my voice annoys you.)

This works best with citations in a folder.

1. From your RefWorks account, click on Tools/Share References
2. Select the folder you want to share by clicking on the Share Folder box to the right of it.
3. The next screen offers a load of options for what your students can see or do with the references.  I strongly recommend clicking on Show Attachments in References if you have attached pdfs or other documents to any of the references you're sharing.
4. Hit the Save button at the bottom of the page.
5. Copy the URL of the Shared Folder.
6. In K-State Online, decide where you want the link to live.  My example was in the announcements, but there are probably more effective places to locate it.

Basically, when your students click on the link, they'll see a page that looks like RefWorks.  This page lists the citations.  To the right of every citation is the Get It button.  Clicking on that will lead them to the article if we have it online through one of our databases.

If you are including something that isn't available through our databases or ejournals, but you've scanned it and attached it to the reference in RefWorks, they should see a paperclip.  Clicking on View will permit students to access the scanned article.

Searching and importing records from K-State Libraries catalog when in RefWorks

To search and import records from the catalog when in RefWorks:

1. Click the Search tab
2. Choose Online Catalog or Database
3. From the new search screen, select Kansas State University as the catalog or database to search
4. You may search one of several ways: Quick Search tends to search for keywords, but if you have an author or title, you can search by those fields
5. Click Search (hitting the Enter key won't do anything)
6. RefWorks usually opens a new window at this point with a list of search results
7. Review the search results and click the check box next to each title you want to import (if you want all of them, you can also select the Page or All in List button)
8. [Optional] If you want the references to go into a specific folder, use the Import to Folder drop down to select the folder
9. Click Import
10. RefWorks will import the citations into your account.  When I do it, RefWorks goes back to my first RefWorks screen/tab and gives me the Import Completed message there.  If you cannot find that page, simply click on View/Folders/Last Imported.

Quick Tutorials

I'm trying something new today.  I recently learned about the software Jing.  With Jing, I can create short tutorials (up to five minutes). I did a little experimenting with RefWorks and created a couple of short tutorials based on my frequently asked questions.  I'll forewarn you that I made them quick and dirty and didn't polish them up.

I am speaking on these, so you'll want to have your speakers on, otherwise they won't make too much sense.   

If they don't play properly for you, you may need to download Adobe Flash Player (it's free).

Create a Refworks Account
Basics of Write-n-Cite

Future scintillating tutorials may include: what to do if you've forgotten your password, what's a Group Code?, using RefWorks with "x" database, and others.  I'm open to suggestions for others, too.

On an ADA/accessibility note, I do plan to write up the step-by-step instructions offered in the tutorials or link to pre-existing instructions.

RefWorks and PubMed

Thanks to Tara Coleman, you can now quickly see how to export citations out of RefWorks into PubMed.  It's a pdf document; download it here: Refworks_pubmed.pdf