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

Are you studying at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW)?

Is your next term paper, bachelor's or master's thesis due?

Don't fancy spending another night writing and checking the footnotes and bibliography manually?

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.

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 bibliographies at ease. Completely automatic.

Du fügst deine Quellen in Zotero ein (am Computer, am Tablet oder am Handy) und zitierst sie während du schreibst. Am Ende fügst du eine Bibliographie ein, mit einem Klick, und bist bereit für die Abgabe. Zotero ist Citavi sehr ähnlich, die Lizenz für Citavi an der DHBW ist aber mittlerweile ausgelaufen. Deswegen wird hier konkret von der DHBW auf Zotero geraten.

Step-by-step instructions for Zotero at the DHBW

Step 1: Installing Zotero

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

Zotero von zotero.org runterladen

Step 2: Set 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 library.

Zotero automatically detects literature metadataas you surf the Internet. Do you need an article from JSTOR or a preprint from arXiv.org? A news item from the Süddeutsche Zeitung or a book from the National Library? Zotero is your companion, everywhere.

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

zotero Browser connector installieren

Step 4: Add your literature sources

Once you have installed your extension, you can easily import literature sources from websites, online libraries and catalogs. Your sources are automatically organized in your Zoterolibrary. See the image on the top right how Zotero automatically recognizes the entry and you can select a library where you want to save the entry.

To make this even easier for you, I provide you with the following public library , which will help you how to enter the metadata precisely to get the correct representation in footnotes and bibliography. https://www.zotero.org/groups/2583327/fom_zitierbeispiele/library

Quelle aus dem Browser mit Zotero importieren

Step 5: Install Word Processor Integration


Zotero creates in-text citations or footnotes and bibliographies for any text editor in no time, directly in Word, LibreOffice or Google Docs. This integration will be installed automatically for you when you install Zotero, regardless of whether you use Word or another supported program. You will then find a new tab called Zotero in the menu bar in Word.


Zotero Erweiterung in Word

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


Step 7: Create citations

You can then start working on your document right away!

An der FOM korrekt mit CSL und Zotero zitieren

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 the citation styles specifically adapted for the DHBWwill make your academic life much easier. Literature research and citation become a stress-free process, so you can concentrate on what's important - 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, just get in touch.


Further reading

'}}
Advantages of CSL & Zotero
CSL in combination with Zotero allows you to cite correctly and create your bibliography. Here you can find out why this combo is so powerful.
'}}
Using Zotero and CSL citation styles
Zotero and CSL citation styles. In this guide, you will learn how to use Zotero and citation styles effectively.
'}}
Correct literature research and citation at the FOM University of Applied Sciences with Zotero
Master literature research and citation at the FOM with Zotero! Easily organise your sources and automatically generate citations and bibliographies.
'}}
German citation style: Cite correctly with Zotero
Literature research and citation according to German citation style done right, thanks to Zotero and CSL citation template. Here I show you how to do it.

© Citation Styler. All rights reserved. 2024