Correct literature research and citation with Zotero at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW)

KnowledgeCSL styles

16. January 2024 · Updated: 31. March 2026

E.g.: "Main text with my train of thought. Are you studying at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW)? Do you have an upcoming assignment, bachelor’s or master’s thesis? Can’t be bothered to spend another night manually typing and checking the footnotes and bibliography?

Welcome to my blog post about the art of literature research and citation with Zotero! In this article, I'll show you how to write your academic papers efficiently by using the great tool called Zotero is used. It is the ultimate solution for organising your research sources and citing your sources correctly and effortlessly.

You add your sources to Zotero (on your computer, tablet or mobile phone) and cite them as you write. At the end, you insert a bibliography with a single click, and you’re ready to submit. Zotero is very similar to Citavi, but the licence for Citavi at DHBW has now expired. That is why DHBW specifically recommends Zotero.

Why Zotero?

Before we dive into the details, let's take a look at why Zotero is an invaluable tool for your studies at the DHBW. Zotero is a free open-source software designed specifically for researchers and students . Not only does it enable you to organise your sources, but also enable you to cite correctly and create at ease. Completely automatic.

Step-by-step instructions for Zotero at the DHBW

Step 1: Installing Zotero

To use Zotero, you must first download and installZotero. Visit the official Zoterowebsite, download the application and install it on your computer. Zotero is available for Windows, Mac and Linux alike.

Step 2: Setting up your account

After the installation create a Zotero account . This allows you to share your literature data between your different devices like with a tablet or mobile but also safely store your library. Please do not skip this step.

Step 3: The Zotero browser extension

Zotero offers a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox and Safari. Download this extension to import your sources directly from the internet your your library.

Zotero automatically recognises the metadata, whilst you’re browsing the internet. Do you need an article from JSTOR or a preprint from arXiv.org? An article from the New York Times or a book from the National Library? Zotero is your constant companion, wherever you are.

Simply open the following page and download the Zotero Connector for your browser: https://www.zotero.org/download/connectors

Step 4: Add your literature sources

Once you have installed the extension, you can easily import literature sources from websites, online libraries and catalogues. Your sources are automatically organised in your Zotero library. Zotero automatically recognises the metadata and you can select the collection in which you want to save the item.

To make this even easier for you, I’m providing the following public library that will guide you onhow to enter your metadata correctly, in order to have footnotes and bibliography render correctly.

Importing a source in your browser with Zotero

Step 5: Install Word Processor Integration

Zotero creates citations in your text or footnotes and bibliographies for any text editor, directly in Word, LibreOffice or Google Docs. This integration is automatically installed for you when you install Zotero, regardless of whether you use Word or another supported programme. You will find a new tab called Zotero in the menu.

Zotero Add-on in Word — The Zotero Word add-in

If this bar does not appear, you can reinstall the extension. To do this, simply go to Zotero's settings under "Cite" and scroll down to "Word processing programs" where you can click on "Reinstall Microsoft Word Add-in". See also: https://www.zotero.org/support/word_processor_plugin_installation

Step 6: Installing the right citation style

Supporting over 10,000 citation styles, you can format your work to match any style manual or publication.

To Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) I have developed bespoke citation styles that comply with your university's requirements. Over the years I have put a lot of effort into perfectly matching them with the respective guidelines.

After you have purchased the style, you can install it via a double-click install or via Zotero's menu under "Cite".

Step 7: Create citations

You can then start working on your document right away!

An der FOM korrekt mit CSL und Zotero zitieren — Citing correctly at the DHBW using CSL and Zotero

Simply click on "Add/edit Citation" and you will be asked which style you want to select. Then select your source and your footnote/citation will be generated.

You can then add the bibliography at the end. To do this, simply click on the "Add/Edit Bibliography" button. It's that easy.

Summary

The combination of Zotero and specially tailored citation styles will significantly improve your academic life. Literature research and citing will become a stress-free process so that you can concentrate on the essentials - your research and your work.

Use these resources wisely and let Zotero and our customised citation styles help you write outstanding academic papers.

Good luck with your studies at the DHBW and in your academic work! If you have any questions or need a new citation style, please get in touch.