At the university level, you are expected to refer to existing research and theories related to the topics in your assignments. Manually compiling bibliographies can be time-consuming and increases the risk of errors in punctuation and formatting.
Please note that reference management tools do not replace knowledge of proper referencing. You must always check that your citations are correct.
What are reference tools?
Writing bibliographies manually can be time-consuming and increases the risk of errors in punctuation and formatting. Reference management tools such as Zotero and EndNote help you organize your references and create source citations in both the text and the bibliography, in the reference style of your choice.
Please note that using a reference management tool does not replace knowledge of correct referencing. You are always responsible for checking that the references are correct. If you are considering using a reference management tool, you should read the information that follows.
If you need further guidance, please contact the library at bibliotek@aho.no or by phone at 465 04 476. At the library at AHO, we offer courses and guidance in reference management.
How to use your reference tool
Connect the tool to your word processing program (e.g. Word) before you start writing. Instructions for this are in the description under the individual tools on this page. Start using the tool as early as possible in your work on the thesis or article. Use it actively during literature searches. Export references continuously.
Please note that not all databases or websites support export to the tools - add references manually if necessary. Review all references to ensure that they are accurate and correctly formatted.
If you discover errors in the reference, you should correct this directly in the Zotero or EndNote library. Not in your document. EndNote and Zotero do not work with tablets or with Chromebooks. Please note that cloud storage may affect your files and is therefore not recommended. The EndNote and Zotero libraries should therefore be stored locally.
Reference styles
All written assignments that use sources must follow a reference style. There are different styles that can be used. AHO does not have a commonly adopted (fast bestemt) style, so you should consult with your course coordinator or supervisor about choosing a style. The most common ones to use at AHO are APA, one of the two Chicago styles, or Harvard. Read more about APA Chicago has two different styles. Both the “author-date” style and the footnote style.
You can read more about the different styles here.
If you use Harvard, AHO has a customized Harvard style for EndNote. Download it here:
You must first choose a style and then set the reference management tool to the style you have chosen. How to do this is explained under each tool.
Choosing a reference management tool
The library has no preferences when it comes to choosing a reference management tool; this depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Here are some differences between Zotero and EndNote:
- EndNote requires a license key, Zotero is open source software.
- The library's experience shows that students often find it easier to get started with Zotero than EndNote. For example, Zotero does not require downloading separate styles.
- An advantage of Zotero is that it is free, so you can take it with you when you leave AHO.
- EndNote is tied to your AHO user EndNote has some more advanced features, including the ability to create and edit your own styles with more detailed formatting control.
How to get started with Zotero
Zotero is a free, web-based reference management tool built on Open Source code. With Zotero, you can collect references from sources you retrieve from Oria or other databases. The tool helps you create correct citations and bibliographies in your documents.
To start using Zotero, visit Zotero.org to download the software for your operating system (Windows, macOS, iOS, or Linux). Follow the installation process and remember to download the browser extension, Zotero Connector. You should then give your Zotero library a name and save it locally. When you start using the program, you will be asked to choose a reference style.
How do I sync my Zotero library to the cloud for a backup?
To do this, create a profile on zotero.org and follow the instructions there How do I export references to Zotero? Open your Zotero library. When you search for a book or article in Oria or other databases, the Zotero icon will appear in your browser.
To add references to your Zotero library, click the Zotero icon in your browser, and the reference will be exported into your library. Manual creation: You can always manually add references to Zotero by clicking the green plus icon in the taskbar, selecting the document type, and filling in the required fields.
How do I use Zotero in a word processor?
Make sure to download the required integration module, Zotero Word Plugin, along with the Zotero software. Then open your word processor, and the Zotero Word Plugin will be visible in the taskbar. To insert a reference, place your cursor where you want the reference, go to the Zotero tab, and click "Add/Edit Citation."
You can search for your references using author, year, or title as search terms. When creating a bibliography, click “Add/Edit Bibliography.”
How do I enter page numbers?
For some references, it is important to refer to the page number or page span from which you got the information. This must be done manually for each reference you enter. Go to Edit and Manage Citations, select Classic View and enter page numbers in the Pages field. The format can be: e.g. "123" to cite page 123. e.g. "123-125" to cite from pages 123 to 125. e.g. "123, 125" to cite from page 123 and also from page 125. Press OK
How to get started with EndNote
With EndNote you can collect references from sources you get from Oria or other databases. The tool helps you create correct references and bibliographies in your documents.
Send an email to bibliotek@aho.no and request a license key. You must state whether you are using a PC or Mac. Then go to endnote.com and download the EndNote21 software, which is the version we offer a license for p.d.d. You should then give your EndNote library a name and save it locally.
How do I sync my EndNote library to the cloud to get a backup?
You do this by creating a profile on EndNote web and following the instructions there.
How do I export references to EndNote?
You can export references to EndNote from most databases and from Oria. Look for the EndNote symbol. If this is not there, look for the option to "export", "cite", "send to" or "save as". Choose EndNote or "RefMan" format (RIS format). Download the file and open it. EndNote will automatically import the reference, or you can drag the file into the EndNote library. Manual creation: You can always add references manually in EndNote by going to "New Reference" and filling in the required fields.
How do I use EndNote in a word processor?
You need to download the Cite While You Write add-in. When the EndNote21 icon appears in the taskbar, you can insert references continuously in your document. To insert a reference, place the cursor where you want the reference, go to the EndNote21 tab, and click "Insert Citation."
You can search for your references using author, year, or title as search terms. When creating a bibliography, click "Insert Bibliography" to create a reference list based on the references you have inserted in the text.
How do I insert page numbers?
For some references, it is important to refer to the page number or page range from which you got the information. This must be done manually for each reference you enter. Before clicking "Insert", you can add page numbers. Enter the page numbers in the "Pages" box in the dialog box where you insert the reference.
The format can be: e.g. "123" to cite page 123. e.g. "123-125" to cite from pages 123 to 125. e.g. "123, 125" to cite from page 123 and also from page 125. Click "Insert" to insert the reference with the page numbers in the text.
AHO has a customised Harvard style for EndNote. Download it here: