Referencing: RefWorks

Academic Search Complete is a good general database covering all subject areas. It is also provided by a supplier who provides some of our other key databases such as Cinahl, PsycInfo, Business Source Premier, British Education Index. To export items from here to RefWorks:

• Go to Databases: Academic Search Complete.
• Perform a search and scan the results list.
• Against each entry you want to include, click on the icon to add a reference to the Folder
• When you have added all the references you need, click on the Folder icon in the top tool bar
• From the folder, click on the Export icon
  • Check radio button Direct export to RefWorks.
  • Click on the Save button.

Scopus is one of the most straightforward databases from which to export into RefWorks. You can either export selected references from a single search results list, or build up a list from different searches.

From a single search results list:

• Tick the boxes next to the references you wish to export;
• Select Export at the top of the results list.

To build a list from different searches:

• Tick the boxes next to the references you wish to export;
• Select Add to My List at the top of the results list;
• When complete select My list from the tool bar under the Scopus title;
• Tick the All box at the top of the list;
• Select Export at the top of the results list.

In both cases this will open up a dialogue box. Select "RefWorks direct export". It's set to output Citation information only, but we would recommend that you change this last to "Citations and abstract information". Click the "Export" button.

A full list of databases that support direct export can be found on our Collecting references page. A selection of key sources are:

• Busines Source Premier
• British Education Index
• Cinahl Plus
• IEEE
• Medline
• Web of Science

Some databases do not allow direct export to RefWorks but need an intermediate file. These include ZETOC - a valuable current awareness database.

The process will take a number of stages:

• Perform a search and select the references;
• Export or save to a text file;
• Open RefWorks and click on the + Add tab from the main toolbar;
• Select "Import references" and from the "Import from a file" section, either drag and drop the file or click on "select a file from your computer"
• Select and upload the file you have just saved
• In the dialogue box that appears enter the correct file format, e.g. MIMAS for downloads from ZETOC and click "Import".

There are now very few databases that need this process. Follow the individual instructions on our RefWorks by Database webpage.

• Under "References" on the RefWorks Toolbar, select "Add New" from the drop down menu.
• If necessary, change the Fields used by box to "Harvard (Brunel University 2013/14)".
• The default reference type is "Journal article". Use the drop down to change as appropriate.
• The fields needed for a Harvard reference will appear. Fill in the boxes and select "Add New".

You can use RefWorks with Google Scholar, too. On Google Scholar,

• Select the "Settings" icon and change the bibliography manager section to read "Show links to import citations into RefWorks".
• Click "Save".
• Search on Google Scholar and for the reference you want,
• Click "Import into RefWorks".

To import multiple references into your RefWorks account, use to add references to "My library".

After completing the searches;

• Open "My library", which is located at the top right of the page.
• Click on "Export all" to download the citation. The file will save to your downloads folder as Citations.ris.
• Open RefWorks and select the  "Add+" tab.
• Click on "Import references". You can either drag and drop the file into the box or click on the link, "select a file from your computer" and upload the document.