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Potomac State College

Zotero: How do I use?

What is Zotero?

Zotero is a free software to manage your research. It is an easy to use citation manager that stores your notes and PDFs alongside your citation. Zotero saves citations and PDFs with a simple click! Zotero can also make a bibliography for your paper for you.

We recommend Zotero if you have your own computer. Zotero works on both Mac and Windows computers. If you don't have your own computer or just want to make a quick bibliography for a short class assignment, consider ZoteroBib.

 

Visit the Zotero webpage (http://www.zotero.org) to install Zotero to your computer.

Why use Zotero?

  • Be organized - Keep all of your research and citations in one place
  • Save time - Never format a citation by hand again
  • It’s Free - Take your research library with you, even after you leave WVU

Installing Zotero

After viewing this video (2 minutes):

You will be able to download and install Zotero.

You will be able to install Zotero for Firefox Connector into Mozilla Firefox.

Create a Zotero account

After viewing this video (1 minute, 48 seconds):

You will be able to create an account on Zotero.org.

You will be able to connect your Zotero.org account with your Zotero client.

Capturing Sources in Zotero

After viewing this video (3 minutes, 51 seconds):

You will be able to save articles you find in library databases in Zotero.

You will be able to save sources you find on the web in Zotero.

You will be able to edit records related to sources in Zotero.

Adding Notes to Sources

After viewing this video (2 minutes, 36 seconds):

You will be able to create notes to add to your sources in Zotero.

You will be able to add images as notes for your sources in Zotero.

Exporting a Bibliography from Sources

After viewing this video (1 minute, 30 seconds):

You will be able to export a bibliography from your sources in Zotero for use in Microsoft Word.

Zotero tutorials by Dr. Mushtaq Bilal

These tutorials by Dr. Mushtaq Bilal (@MushtaqBilalPhD) provide a basic overview of Zotero's features.

1. Getting Started with Zotero

  • Install Zotero
  • Build your library
  • Create in-text citations in MS Word/Google Docs
  • Create bibliographies

2. Adding Items to Your Zotero Library

Learn about the four ways to add items to your library:

  • Zotero Connector
  • Item Identifiers like DOI, ISBN, etc.
  • Manually adding a PDF
  • Manually entering the meta-data of a item

3. Annotating PDFs in Zotero

This thread will teach you how to:

  • Annotate PDFs (desktop app ONLY)
  • Take notes in Zotero

4. Syncing your Zotero Library

This thread will teach you how to sync your Zotero library so you can access it anywhere on any device.

5. Collaborative Annotations

This thread will teach you how to:

  • Make Zotero groups
  • Annotate a PDF as a group/class

6. Moving Mendeley to Zotero

This thread will teach you how to import your library from Mendeley to Zotero.

 

For more help with Zotero

Do you need help with Zotero?

For even more tips with Zotero, check out the official ALA eBook:

For in-person help, contact the Library and ask to speak with a librarian or someone familiar with Zotero.

Guide created by Nicholas Gardner, August 2018.