RefWorks Frequently Asked Questions

What is RefWorks?
Who has access to RefWorks?
Can I access RefWorks from off-campus?
How do I move references from a database to RefWorks?
What is a groupcode and how do I know what ours is?
What type of software do I need to download?
Is there a limit to the number of citations I can keep in RefWorks?
Why would I want more than one RefWorks account?
How do I open two accounts in RefWorks at the same time?
What is read-only access?
Why does my bibliography have incorrect data included in the output document?
How do I tell which folders contain a specific reference?
Where can I obtain more detailed information?
How do I use Write-N-Cite Off-Site?

What is RefWorks?

RefWorks is a web-based citation manager provided to you by the Trent University library. You can create a personal database by importing citations from bibliographic catalogues and indexes. With RefWorks you can easily generate a bibliography and format it in any major bibliographic style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc).

Who has access to RefWorks?

All Trent faculty, staff, and students can access RefWorks. RefWorks is available from on campus and from off-campus using the library’s proxy service or RefWorks groupcode.

Can I access RefWorks from off-campus?

Yes, RefWorks is a globally accessible tool. Simply go to http://refworks.scholarsportal.info and enter your institution assigned groupcode and your username and password to gain access to your citations.

How do I move references from a database to RefWorks?

For instructions on how to move references from specific databases to RefWorks click here.

What is a groupcode and how do I know what ours is?

The groupcode is an alphanumeric code that allows access to RefWorks from off-campus. However, you should never need to use the groupcode when you are accessing RefWorks via databases Trent subscribes to or from the link on the library's homepage. You may be prompted for a groupcode when using Write-N-Cite off campus if you haven't download the Write-N-Cite proxy configuration utility. You may also be prompted for a groupcode when using RefWorks with Google Scholar. To avoid this see the Importing instructions page.

To access the Group Code click here.

What type of software do I need to download?

Since RefWorks is a web-based tool it doesn’t require any software downloading. However, you may download a product called “Write-N-Cite” which enables you to insert parenthetical references into your document as needed. Once the document has been completed this tool will automatically generate a bibliography of all the sources cited within the document.

Is there a limit to the number of citations I can keep in RefWorks?

No. Your RefWorks database has an unlimited size and you can store as many citations as you like.

Why would I want more than one RefWorks account?

If you plan to share some folders but want to keep other folders private, you need to set up two separate accounts.

Account # 1: Create one account for the folders you plan to share. You can make this account read-only if you want users to be able to view but not edit this account. Create a read-only password to share. If this account is to be used by a study group, you may want all members to have full editing rights. This permits users to enter comments and edit records. Share the login and password with your group.

Account #2: Create a separate account for personal work. Do not give out your username or password for this account.

How do I open two accounts in RefWorks at the same time?

Open two copies of your browser by selecting it twice from the Program menu or by clicking on the icon on your desktop or task bar. That is, do not open another window by using the FILE, NEW, WINDOW option. When you do this you will not open another existing RefWorks account. It will be a second copy of the first regardless of the password or login information.

What is read-only access?

Anyone with read-only access to your RefWorks account may look at your citations but neither edit nor delete any records.

Why does my bibliography have incorrect data included in the output document?

The output format takes the data from a particular field and inserts it into the bibliography. If the data in the field is incorrect it will appear to be wrong in the output format. For example, if you see a book title in your bibliography that looks like: “Economics of America [Monograph]”, you will find that the title in your data includes the text “[Monograph]” - it was not added by the output format.

If you see something like 'Vol. 32 Vol.' for the volume number of a journal, it is because the “Vol.” text was imported with the data. The problem may be with the way the data was imported rather than with the output format. Always check to be sure the data in the database is correct before formatting a bibliography.

How do I tell which folders contain a specific reference?

From the main view, click on ‘View’ or ‘Edit’ in the top right corner of the reference for which you want the folder information. Click on the ‘In Folder’ drop down box. Folders with a >> next to them contain the reference.

Where can I obtain more detailed information?

Take a look at the Quick Start Guide for answers to questions not addressed here.

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Last Modified: November 19, 2009
Maintained by , Thomas J. Bata Library.