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Zotero: Organizing Your Research

Zotero [zoh-TAIR-oh] is an open-source tool which allows you to collect, organize, cite, and share research sources easily, using a web browser extension along with a stand-alone program on your computer

Collections

This is the most basic way to organize your library, into collection folders. Items in your library can live in as many collections as you like.  Use this button in Zotero Standalone to add collections to your library:

collections

More on collections from Zotero.

Tags

Tagging is an easy way to categorize items by attaching descriptive words to them. You can tag your information with whatever relevant keyword or term you would like associated with that given item. These tags allow you to sift through your information in a personal way, by the categories that you deem relevant.

When you import items via library databases or catalogs, be aware that tags are sometimes automatically imported alongside these items, using information stored in the database. You may want to keep or delete these tags, depending on their relevance and utility.

To add a tag to an item simply select the tags tab tabs in the right column and hit the add button.

More on tags from Zotero.

Related Items

The Related tab allows you to associate a given record in a library with any other item, whether or not they are in the same collection. Within the Related tab simply click on the Add button, a pop-up screen will show your libraries, pick any item within the same library then click OK.  Your items are now related.  Some uses for related items are:

  • connecting book chapters to their parent volume
  • connecting book reviews to the book reviewed
  • connecting different versions of a work (e.g., connecting a lecture that eventually became an article that eventually became a book)
  • or anything else that helps you organize your research

More on related from Zotero.