Zotero

• 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

• Checkpoint

  Zotero Self-Assessment

  Now that you've completed the activities in this module, take the time to complete this self-assessment of how competent you think you are in using Zotero.

  Follow the instructions by clicking the link below.

• 

  Zotero Self-Assessment Quiz
• Discussion

  Zotero Forum

  Using the forum below, click the 'Add a new discussion topic' button and perform the following tasks.

  1. Using a PNI format (Positive, Negative and Interesting) post something that you found useful, something that you found difficult or confusing, and something that you would like to find out more about relating  to the activities in this part of the module.
  2. Share at least one additional resource (web link, video etc.) that you think would help any other students working through this module.
• 

  Zotero Forum