You Can Now Keep Your RefWorks Account When You Leave UCSF!

Great news! On October 1 RefWorks-COS announced that alumni now have access to RefWorks as long as their institution subscribes to RefWorks. So that means you can keep your account active when you leave UCSF.

More information later.

Which Version of EndNote Should I Use?

EndNote releases a new version of its desktop software every year and it can be difficult to decide if it's worth upgrading from an earlier version. This year EndNote X3 for Windows was released in June and X3 for the Mac in August. I haven't got a copy of X3 yet but from what I've heard it's fairly similar to EndNote X2.

The University of Queensland has a great review of X3 features.

Mac users should note that EndNote X3 will run on OS X (10.5.6) but there are reports of problems with Snow Leopard, the latest Mac OS release.

EndNote versions X, X1, X2 and X3 seem to be fully compatible with each other. However, if, for example, EndNote X users open a library created in X3, new features only available in X3, such as groups, are ignored by version X. Otherwise all the key features are the same and if you take a class using X2 you won't have any problems using X3 or X1.

Upcoming EndNote & RefWorks Classes at UCSF

The new schedule for the UCSF Library's Fall Qtr classes is now up on the Library's GALEN website. The first "Getting Started with RefWorks" class is on October 6, the next "Getting Started with EndNote X2" on November 4.

What's EndNote Web and Should I Use It?

There are now two versions of EndNote: desktop EndNote (the version that most people are familiar with, and sits on your computer), and EndNote Web (a web-based version you access with a browser). The desktop EndNote version is the most powerful and sophisticated, and generally considered to be the most suitable for academics, researchers and postgraduates. The Web version is aimed more at undergraduates.

There is a useful comparison of the features of EndNote desktop and EndNote Web available here.


Note that UCSF faculty, staff, and students may use EndNote Web free of charge. This is useful as references can easily be moved between the two versions. EndNote Web may be a useful way of collecting references when you're away from your computer and can't access the desktop software.

Mac Version of EndNote X3 Released

The Mac version of X3 was released today. You can get more information at the following EndNote X3 information site.

UCSF users should contact the University Technology Store to check on its availability.

What's new in EndNote X3?

The University of Queensland has a good comprehensive review of new features in EndNote X3:




The University of Queensland has a good comprehensive overview of new features in EndNote:

New APA 6th output styles in RefWorks

The American Psychological Association (APA) released the 6th edition of their publication manual on July 1. RefWorks has now modified and released new APA output styles.

To select the new styles, Click on the tab marked Bibliography and next to the drop-down menu marked Output Style select Output Style Manager. Select APA 6th edition and Add to Favorites:



As usual, there are still a few things that need to be fixed. The following is an except from the release notes:

“APA 6th style is not a major change from APA 5th output style. The new version does not use the database name with the exception of ERIC documents (reports). We have removed the database field from all reference types with the exception of reports. The new edition of APA has changed the manner in which authors are to be listed in the text and in the reference list. The new reference list guidelines state that when there are seven or more authors there should only be seven authors presented. When there are more than seven authors the first six are to be listed, ellipses added after the sixth, and the last author added at the end. In order for RefWorks to adhere to these changes, we will need to make modifications to our current Output Style Editor which will require program development. In the short-term, our new APA style will list all authors and will require the user to manually remove the extra authors and add the ellipses.

The new guidelines allow for the inclusion of up to five authors in the first instance of an in-text citation and the use of the first author with ‘et al.’ in all subsequent citations of the same reference. This too, will require APA specific development in RefWorks.”