Perfecting APA bibliographies generated by Bibliographic Managers

APA tutorial: screenshot features Journal citations.

Even if you use a bibliographic manager to generate citations and/or bibliographies, it is always a good idea  to check the final version of your citations and bibliography against an authoritative Citation guide. The Citation Styles Libguide has links to some of the more commonly used citation styles, including APA, MLA, Turabian; additionally, you might check with the Reference desk or the Writing Center for a guide in book form.  One of our “frequently asked questions” is about the inclusion (or not) of URLs in APA journal citations:  the Citation Styles hosts a link to  the Basics of APA style, which may help you with the finer points of spacing, placement of URLS, etc.

Here also a link to a short  video that focuses on the “journal article”  slide of the APA tutorial, so that you can see several versions of what a Journal Article might look like in an APA bibliography and see what adjustments you may need to make if you are using Refworks or Zotero to auto-generate bibliographic information.

 

Firefox certificates and RefWorks (or other trusted databases)

If you are using RefWorks for the first time with a new computer (either using your new laptop, or using a lab or home computer for the first time to connect to an existing RefWorks account) you may encounter an “untrusted connection” certificate error.

In general it is a good idea to heed the certificate warnings, but as long as you are accessing RefWorks (or any database) from the Databases A-Z LibGuide or from a Resources by Subject LibGuide,  it is a trusted connection.

Note: If you click on Firefox alert screenshot (above & right), in the larger picture you will see the URL has the database name refworks and the library server name jerome.stjohns.edu in the URL, in this case the library is providing the assurance that Refworks is a trusted site, rather than an “impersonating” site.

If you need help getting around the certificate error, this video tutorial will provide more information.

 

RefWorks 2.0

As mentioned in a previous August post, RefWorks has a new interface as of 2012…RefWorks 2.0.

Current users may notice some changes in layout, and some improvements in functionality;  find out what’s different/new.

New users can get a Preview of what RefWorks 2.0 can do for you as a citation manager.

Want to learn more about RefWorks on your own? RefWorks webinars and tutorials can get you going; our RefWorks LibGuide can also help answer questions.

If you prefer to learn in person,with a librarian, stop by an StJ Libraries Workshop or make an appointment with your librarian.

 

“myJSTOR” down on 9/9 & 9/10 – but search/export/email working

We have had a recent advisory from JSTOR, but it shouldn’t be too much of a disruption for our JSTOR regulars.  But do note, that if you normally export/email  a number of  articles at a time from JSTOR using  the “save my citations” feature, you will need to adjust during this time-period … you can still export/email articles individually or in bulk by using the “export Citation” link  or “email citation link”

“On Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10, JSTOR will be performing site maintenance that requires a “read-only” period for these two days. During this scheduled maintenance, users will be able to search, browse, and access and download PDF files for content in JSTOR. They will not be able to save citations, reset passwords, create or update MyJSTOR accounts, or purchase articles.”

 

RefWorks Transition to RefWorks 2.0

Refworks 2.0 link in upper right corner, next to Home

RefWorks is one of a number of bibliographic management programs that are available to the staunch researcher.  If you are a dedicated RefWorks user, you might want to take a look at the new RefWorks 2.0 interface that launched earlier this week.  The “Classic” interface  will be accessible until the end of the year (so you have an adjustment period), but if you want to review some of the highlights of the new interface, check out this video which highlights the differences between the old and new interfaces.

Also, if you want to play with the new interface before the end of the semester you will see links to access RefWorks 2.0 in the upper, right-hand corner at the log-in stage (pictured left, above)

Additionally, after you are logged in,  there is a link that lets you toggle back and forth between the classic and 2.0 interfaces in the upper, right-hand corner of your account screen (pictured right, below).

Toggle link lets you switch between classic and 2.0 interface

If you are new to RefWorks, you might consider looking into the new interface from the start — this preview video for new users will show you some of the features.

For those who like to learn on their own, but would like some extra help, there are free webinars and tutorials available from RefWorks.

Of course, for those of you who like a hands-on workshop, we offer in-library workshops on RefWorks and Zotero (another, open-source Bibliographic Management system)– among other topics. Register for one today!

 

RefWorks Certificate error

To all our RefWorks users, you may have noticed a “certificate error” message recently, even if you have been visiting RefWorks on your computer before. The “good news” is that RefWorks upgraded their server, and refworks.com is a “trusted site.” As long as you have accessed RefWorks from either (a) our library website, (b) one of our databases, or going directly to “http://libraries.stjohns.edu/refworks” you can continue the process with confidence.

If you are using Internet Explorer 6, IE 7 or Safari, use the images below to guide you through the process.  Firefox, it is a little trickier, follow the guides on this document:

Refworks Certificate error as displayed on IE6 - Click "Yes" to proceed

Certificate error on IE 7 -- Click on "Continue to this website"

If you are using Safari: Click on CONTINUE

 

New MLA and APA updates in RefWorks

If  you are wanting to add the most recent versions of APA and MLA output styles into your refworks account — or if you want to add a specific Journal style to your list of outputs, the following is a brief  “screenshot tutorial” of how to do so.  TUTORIAL:  Adding a new or updated style guide to your Bibliography Output options 

Please note that the newest APA and MLA  ouput styles are still in “Beta” — that is they are not without flaws – but RefWorks is releasing these versions of the styles “before the program development can be completed… to give our users a chance to review the style and to send us their input and suggestions with the intent of having an accurate and comprehensive presentation …prior to the next academic term. …If you have any feedback, questions, comments or concerns please do not hesitate to contact support@refworks-cos.com.”

For a note about some of the major differences between APA 5th and APA 6th editions, and how RefWorks is dealing with them, please see this excerpt (from a RefWorks letter) below:

      APA 6th style is not a major change from APA 5th output style.  The new version does not use the database name with the exception of ERIC documents (reports).  We have removed the database field from all reference types with the exception of reports.
     The new edition of APA has changed the manner in which authors are to be listed in the text and in the reference list. The new reference list guidelines state that when there are seven or more authors there should only be seven authors presented. When there are more than seven authors the first six are to be listed, ellipses added after the sixth, and the last author added at the end.  In order for RefWorks to adhere to these changes, we will need to make modifications to our current Output Style Editor which will require program development.  In the short-term, our new APA style will list all authors and will require the user to manually remove the extra authors and add the ellipses.
     The new guidelines allow for the inclusion of up to five authors in the first instance of an in-text citation and the use of the first author with ‘et al.’ in all subsequent citations of the same reference. This too, will require [further] APA specific development in RefWorks.

From the RWADMIN-L Digest – 21 Jul 2009 to 22 Jul 2009 (#2009-84)

 

WNC troubleshooting

Following up on the entry about the RefWorks troubleshooting guide, the most common problem users have with Write-n-Cite is that when they try to use it off-campus, they are prompted for the group code.  This generally is solved by completing the downloading process (found on the  WNC tab of the RefWorks Guide). — This second step sets up our Library proxy link on your computer, so you shouldn’t need a group code — on or off-campus. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture indicating the steps for adding the proxy Link for the StJ laptop. Note that MAC instructions differ and are listed on the WNC tab of the RefWorks Guide

 

RefWorks Troubleshooting

In case you haven’t seen it, we’ve added a Troubleshooting tab on the RefWorks Guide that addresses some questions our users have raised.  Issues range from broad ( forgotten password — pictured at left) to specific issues (using an upgraded browser on a non-St.John’s-issued laptop from off-campus).

We will continue to update the LibGuide, the troubleshooting tab and this blog  according to the frequency with which new questions are posed to our RefWorks crew  and according to how new technologies or updates  impact RefWorks users.

Please note,  if neither the RefWorks LibGuide tutorials nor the troubleshooting page answer your questions, you can always email us at refworks@stjohns.edu to get help.   

When you email us, please take a screen shot* of your computer screen at the point/s-of-problem  so that we have a better idea of what you are seeing when you have difficulty.  Please also let us know what what kind of computer you are using (PC, MAC, etc.) what browser you are using  (FireFox, IE6 or IE7) and what Operating System you are using (Vista, XP, Mac Jaguar etc.)

(*To take a screen shot press Shift+PrtSc and paste (Ctrl+V) the image/s into a Word Document and attach the document to your email.)

 

Facebook, at 5, surpasses MySpace

From NPR’s Weekend Edition 2/7 : “Scott Simon speaks with NPR’s Social Media Strategist Andy Carvin about Facebook’s fifth anniversary, and how social networking has changed how we use the Internet.” 

See the bibliography below for some other perspectives on the technological pros and cons of Facebook ‘s social-networking technology – for the the “newbie” or the “old-pro” — for acces to an article, here is a RefShare link – use the check-for-full-text feature at the right side of the screen. 

Students don’t fear loss of privacy on facebook, study finds.(2008). US Fed News Service, Including US State News,

Boulton, C. (2008). Who owns your social data? you do, sort of; analysis: Scoble’s banishment and reinstatement from facebook revives the debate over who owns data entered on social sites. EWeek.

Boyd, D. (2008). Facebook’s privacy trainwreck. Convergence: The Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 14(1), 13-20. doi:10.1177/1354856507084416

Brandenburg, C. (2008). The newest way to screen job applicants: A social networker’s nightmare. Federal Communications Law Journal, 60(3), 597-626.

Horowitz, E. (2008). So the boss wants to be friends on facebook?: When younger and older folks collide online, it can spoil the fun. McClatchy - Tribune Business News

Krivak, T. (2008). Facebook 101: Ten things you need to know about facebook. Information Today, 25(3), 1.

Mitrano, T. (2008). Facebook 2.0. EDUCAUSE Review, 43(2), 72.

Rampell, C. (2008, Feb 23). What facebook knows that you don’t. The Washington Post, pp. A.15.