Inserting references correctly into your manuscript can be either really easy – if you know how to use the right software – or a complete nightmare if you decide to type each reference manually!
If you only plan to write one or two short articles with a small number of references, hand-typed references may suffice. However, for longer or more frequent publishing, a reference manager is an absolute must!
Reference managers allow you to insert easily references within an article and you can choose the format they are entered in depending on where you plan to submit your article. Crucially, if you choose to move sentences or paragraphs around, the references are automatically renumbered!
The most popular reference managers are listed below. All have advantages and disadvantages. Some are free whilst others require purchase or a regular subscription.
