Activity 1

Introduction to Zotero

Allow 60 minutes

The tasks in this activity will get you started with Zotero.

Task 1: An Overview

Work through these resources to get an overview of Zotero, then have a go at the challenge.

Link: Tour of Zotero videos - choose one or two of the videos to watch from the list provided

Link: Zotero quick start guide

If you are having trouble playing these videos, check out this course's 'Frequently Asked Questions' tab for more information.

Challenge:

• Reflect on the question: What potential do you see Zotero having for your study?
• Refer to any of your course handbooks and/or assessment instructions. What referencing requirements are there?

Task 2: Let's install Zotero

Before installing Zotero work through the resources on this website, then have a go at the challenge.

Link: Installation instructions

Challenge:

• Create a Zotero account
• Decide on which option you will use
• Download and install the version required (see below for another option)
• Add a browser extension
• Add a plugin for Word

if you are not using your own device, your options may be limited. Try the following instead:

• Create an account
• Try installing a Bookmarklet instead of an extension
• Check out the options available on the 'My Library' tab

Activity 2

Becoming Productive With Zotero

Allow 120 minutes

This activity is where the fun begins. During the next tasks we will be adding content to your Zotero library for use in your written work.

Task 1: Let's Start Collecting

Work through the resources below and then have a go at the challenge.

Link: Adding Items to your Zotero Library

Link: Adding Files to your Zotero Library

Link: Retrieving PDF Metadata

Link: Manually creating items - choose one or two videos to watch

Link: Creating an item from a webpage - choose one or two videos to watch

Note:

• If adding items by their identifier, check that the bibliography data is actually correct
• Right -click on the item information (in the middle window) to see what other options are available, e.g. adding attachments like a file saved on your computer

Challenge:

Add a variety of items.

• Select one of your current courses and add items from the required and recommended reading lists
• Add a book using its ISBN
• Add the Zotero homepage
• Manually add a book, a webpage and an article
• Add a snapshot of a webpage
• Add a collection from Google Scholar
• Add an existing pdf by dragging it into Zotero and retrieving the metadata, if it is available, by right-clicking the item name in the library and selecting the appropriate option

Task 2: Citing

Work through the resources below and then have a go at the challenge.

Link: Using the Zotero Word Processor Plugins

Link: Zotero and Microsoft Word - choose one or two videos to watch

Link: Zotero and Google Products - choose one or two videos to watch

Challenge:

• Open a Word document
• Add in citations for the items added to Zotero in Task 1
• Experiment with adding page numbers to a citation
• Experiment with adding multiple references for a piece of text

Activity 3

Staying organised with Zotero

Allow 90 minutes

Like most other applications, some good 'housekeeping' principles will help to make your workflow smoother and save you time in the long run. The next tasks will help make your Zotero endeavours more productive.

Task 1: Sorting and Searching

Work through the following resources and then have a go at the challenge.

Link: Sorting

Link: Searching

Link: Organising your references - choose one or two videos to watch

Challenge:

• Experiment with sorting and searching items in your library

Remember to use the 'Restore Column Order' action in the dropdown menu, if you get stuck.

Task 2: Collections, Tags and Notes

Work through the resources below and then have a go at the challenge.

Link: Collections and Tags

Link: Notes

Link: Using Tags - choose one or two videos to watch

Link Using Collections - choose one to two videos to watch

Link: Using Notes - choose one or two videos to watch

Challenge:

• Create a collection called 'Practise'
• Create a collection for each of your current courses
• File the library content into the collections
• Create a tag called 'practise'
• Add the 'practise' tag to each item added for the purposes of this activity
• Create other suitable tabs

Task 3: Other Functionality

This is an optional task. You may wish to browse through these resources to find out what else Zotero can do.

Link: Screencasts for a variety of topics

Link: Relating Items

Link: Duplicate Detection

Link: Adding files to your Zotero Library

Link: Timelines

Link: Contents of  Documentation resource