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Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)

Reference Management Software: EndNote

Software tools

Reference management software tools can also assist in the systematic or other review process involved in research relating to EBM. These tools enable you to store all your references in one place, and insert your citations into Word documents: this will also generate a full reference list at the end of your document.  There may also be facilities for sharing groups of references, or whole reference libraries, with colleagues in your study or research group.  NB: you should always take care not to share full text or PDF files of whole articles with colleagues outside of your organisation as this may be in breach of copyright legislation.

Reference management software can form part of the management process for systematic reviews, as files can be uploaded into or exported from EndNote (or other software) to systematic review tools such as Covidence.

A number of reference management options are available.

  • EndNote Desktop is currently supported at the University of Birmingham for doctoral and other researchers and members of staff  
  • EndNote Online  is supported for use by undergraduate and taught postgraduate students

Other reference managers are available as open web resources.

There are some openly available resources which, however, only generate a reference list for you, which has to be copied and pasted.

Checking your work

You should always check any references and lists generated by software carefully, and make any changes required.  

  • Editing and proofreading: a short guide, has valuable suggestions
  • Cite Them Right Online: how to reference, with many individual examples and broader information on referencing and academic practice. Select 'Login', then enter your subscribing institution for full access: for UoB staff and students, enter 'University of Birmingham'  

BibTeX and LaTeX are specifically for cases where mathematical symbols and equations are prominent in referenced materials.

Mendeley and Zotero are for more standard referencing of journal articles and other formats.

There are some openly available resources which, however, only generate a reference list for you, which has to be copied and pasted.

You should always check any references and lists generated by software carefully and make any changes required.  

  • Editing and proofreading: a short guide, has valuable suggestions
  • Cite Them Right Online: how to reference, with many individual examples and broader information on referencing and academic practice. Select 'Login', then enter your subscribing institution for full access: for UoB staff and students, enter 'University of Birmingham'  
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