Skip to Main Content

RefWorks

This guide will show you the basics of using RefWorks, the research source management tool.

Reading Documents in RefWorks

READ A DOCUMENT IN REFWORKS

RefWorks allows you to store your pdf article or source in one place connected to your reference. You can also read the pdf source right in RefWorks, so no switching back and forth between tabs/windows/papers. You can access documents saved in RefWorks anywhere with internet.

After uploading the pdf to your reference (see Uploading Reference to RefWorks for directions), you can now read the document in RefWorks. 

Simply click the title of the reference, then the read button in the side bar for that reference. The document will open and you can now read and annotate within RefWorks.
 

TOOLS IN THE READING WINDOW

Once you have opened the document in the reading window/page, you can now:

  • Zoom in and out on the text
  • Print a copy of the pdf
  • Download the pdf to your computer
  • Highlight and annotate specific pieces of text
  • Make notes about the source/document
  • Edit the reference entry

Annotating Documents in RefWorks

HIGHLIGHTING TEXT

To highlight a specific portion of text:

  1. "Read" the document in RefWorks
  2. Choose the "highlight" button from the tool bar in the reading window/page (icon looks like a highlighted A)
  3. Click a single word to highlight it OR drag your cursor over several words/lines to highlight a longer portion of text
  4. Click on the highlighted text to add a comment, change the highlight color, or delete the highlighting

COMMENT ON SPECIFIC TEXT

To write a note about a specific section of text:

  1. "Read" the document in RefWorks
  2. Choose the "comment" button from the tool bar in the reading window/page (icon looks like a speech bubble)
  3. Click a piece of work OR drag your cursor over several words/lines to make a comment about a specific portion of text
  4. The comment will appear on the side of the document and the text will be highlighted
  5. Click the three dots in the comment bubble or the highlighted text to change the highlighting color, delete the comment, or edit the comment
  6. Each comment is given a time stamp to indicate when comments were made
  7. Comments are automatically saved

DOCUMENT NOTES

  1. "Read" the document in RefWorks
  2. Click the "Document Notes" button to open the notes side bar (icon looks like a small piece of paper)
  3. Type your notes into the box (this tool does not connect specific words or sections to a comment)

All notes, comments, and highlighting are automatically saved!

Need Help

Contact a librarian or set up a research coach appointment if you need help creating your account or using RefWorks.

Savannah Patterson

Public Services Librarian

spatterson@uu.edu

(731) 661-6544

Amber Wessies

Instruction Librarian

awessies@uu.edu

(731) 661-5058

  • Last Updated: Apr 13, 2022 11:37 AM
  • URL: https://guides.uu.edu/refworks
  • Print Page
Subjects: Research