Marquette FAQ for RefWorks

1. Is there any cost in setting up and using RefWorks?

RefWorks is available free to any currently-enrolled Marquette University student or currently-employed Marquette University faculty members or staff. The subscription cost for RefWorks is covered by the Marquette Univ. Raynor Memorial Libraries.

2. How do I set up a RefWorks account?

Go to the New User page and fill out the boxes to the left of the screen. You choose your own RefWorks log-in name and password. Registration for an account is immediate upon submitting the form. In addition, a message from RefWorks will be sent to your e-mail address confirming your registration, RefWorks user name and password.

3. Can I access RefWorks from my home PC or Mac?

Yes, you can access RefWorks from your home PC or Mac. RefWorks is a Web-based program which means you can access your RefWorks account from any PC or Mac that is on the Internet.

4. From off-campus, when I try to log into my RefWorks account, it gives me a screen asking for a Group Code. What do I type in?

If you are off-campus and you do not have the campus VPN software installed and running on your home PC or Mac, when you attempt to log into RefWorks, you get a screen asking for Marquette's Group Code. You will first be asked to type in the first 5 digits of your Marquette Univ. Bar Code number (the 14 digit number on your Marquette I.D. card.) Note that the Marquette University group code is CASE-SENSITIVE. Thus, when prompted for the Group Code, type it in EXACTLY as it appears on the library web page.

The Marquette University Group Code is also listed in the RefWorks e-mail message that you received when you initially signed up for your RefWorks account.

Note: Off-campus RefWorks users who have the campus VPN installed and running on their home machines, do NOT need to enter in a Group Code. The campus VPN software will allow you to directly enter the RefWorks log-in screen.

5. What is the Marquette Univ. campus VPN software? Do I need to have it loaded on my home PC or Mac in order for me to use RefWorks from off-campus?

The campus VPN is software that you can download from Marquette University at no charge and install on your home PC or Mac. When you have it running on your home machine, it allows you to connect more easily to campus network resources. For example, you are then able to directly enter the library databases without having to enter in your name and 14 digit Marquette University Bar Code.

For questions or problems in downloading the campus VPN software to your home PC or Mac, you can contact the ITS Help Desk at 288-7799 or via e-mail at: mailto:helpdesk@marquette.edu

It is NOT necessary to have the campus VPN software installed and running on your home machine in order for you to use RefWorks from home, however, it IS recommended.

Many of RefWorks’ capabilities are possible from off-campus without using the VPN, however, without the campus VPN, you will NOT be able to DIRECTLY EXPORT records from library databases into your RefWorks account. This means that if you are searching library databases (such as Proquest, OVID’s Medline, CINAHL, ERIC, PsycInfo, etc.) from home, instead of the Direct Export feature you will need to use a different method in transferring library database records into your RefWorks account – you will need to save the library database records to file and then, import them into your RefWorks account.

See Question Number 6 for more information about saving library database records to file and then, importing them into RefWorks.

6. Can I transfer records from Marqcat (Marquette University Libraries Online catalog) into my RefWorks account?

Yes, it is possible to transfer records from the Marqcat online catalog into your RefWorks account. Try these instructions.

7. How do I transfer records from Marquette University’s library databases into my RefWorks account?

To locate instructions on how to move records from various databases into your Refworks account, find your database in the List of Databases available at Marquette University Raynor Memorial Libraries, then click on its vendor name to the right.

Instructions will appear as to how to export this particular database’s records into RefWorks.

Please note: some databases have TWO methods for transferring records into RefWorks: “Direct Export” and “Manually Save and Export Records.”

Whenever possible, it is recommended that you use the “Direct Export” option in transferring records from the library databases into RefWorks as this is the quickest method. For those databases that do not have a “Direct Export” option you will then need to follow instructions in how to save the library database records to file and then, import them into your RefWorks account.

IMPORTANT: If you are searching the library databases from off-campus and DO NOT have the campus VPN software installed and running on your home PC or Mac, you will not be able to use the “Direct Export” method to transfer records into RefWorks. You will then need to save the library database references to file and then, manually export them into RefWorks. This process works just as well as the “Direct Export” but involves several more steps.

8. What is RefWorks’ Write-N-Cite program?

Write-N-Cite is an add-on program to RefWorks which allows you to cite the sources contained in your RefWorks account as you type your paper in Microsoft Word (for either PC or Mac.) Write-N-Cite formats the citations/footnotes in your document and can create bibliographies in a number of citation styles: Chicago Manual of Style, APA, etc.

Read more about Write-N-Cite and the requirements regarding Write-N-Cite.

Important: In order to utilize Write-N-Cite, you must first download and install a small, free software program from the RefWorks website. Get more information.

9. Are there other ways that bibliographies can be created from RefWorks WITHOUT having to use the Write-N-Cite program?

Yes, there are. Write-N-Cite is only one way to create bibliographies but there are several other ways. See additional information in the RefWorks Help Guide

10. I have downloaded and installed the Write-N-Cite program on my home machine, however, when I click on the Write-N-Cite link on my home machine, I get a screen that asks for a Group Code. What do I type in?

For off-campus RefWorks users who do not have the campus VPN software loaded and running on your home PC or Mac, whenever you click on your Write-N-Cite link, you will then see a screen that asks you to input your institution’s Group Code.

You should type in Marquette's Group Code. You will first be asked to type in the first 5 digits of your Marquette Univ. Bar Code number (the 14 digit number on your Marquette I.D. card.) Note that the Marquette University Group Code is CASE-SENSITIVE. Thus, when prompted for the Group Code, type it in EXACTLY as it appears on the library web page.

The Marquette University Group Code is also listed in the RefWorks e-mail message that you received when you initially signed up for your RefWorks account.

Note: Off-campus RefWorks /Write-N-Cite users who have the campus VPN installed and running on their home machines, do NOT need to enter in a Group Code. The campus VPN software will allow you to directly enter the Write-N-Cite log-in screen.

11. How can I make a back up the references in my RefWorks account?

See the RefWorks Help page

Additional note: you can save copies of your RefWorks on your hard drive or flash drives. Also, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you make backup copies of your RefWorks account if your stored citations are critical to your work.

12. Is it possible to edit an existing citation style or create a new one in RefWorks?

Yes, follow the instructions which RefWorks provides at http://www.refworks.com/Refworks/help/Using_the_Output_Format_Editor2.htm

Also very useful is the RefWorks guide "Customizing an Output Style".

13. Is it possible to create ANNOTATED bibliographies using RefWorks?

Yes, it is possible to do this for ALL citation output styles in RefWorks. For most styles, you will need to manually edit the citation style settings to include the annotation field. However, for those who are using the APA style, there are ALREADY style citation options present in RefWorks which will allow you to automatically include annotations in your bibliography. From the list of Output Styles, choose either of the following: APA, Annotated with Abstracts - American Psychological Association, 5th Edition APA, Annotated with Abstracts - No Title Casing Applied - American Psychological Association, 5th Edition

For all other citation output styles, you will need to manually add the annotation field in the citation output style. For instructions, see the RefWorks guide.

14. I have modified an existing output style in RefWorks to meet my unique citation style needs. Is it possible to share this modified citation style with other RefWorks users?

Yes, for instructions, see page 11 of the RefWorks guide.

15. What happens to my RefWorks account once I graduate or leave Marquette University?

See the RefWorks help page.

16. How can I get help in using RefWorks here at Marquette University?

For questions regarding RefWorks, you can call the Raynor Library Information desk at 288-7556 or e-mail us at askusraynor@marquette.edu.

The Libraries also offer one-hour demo workshops throughout the semester. See: Link to Workshop dates

Also, if you would like one-on-one training to learn about RefWorks, please fill out a research consultation request form or contact the Raynor Memorial Libraries Information Desk at 288-7556 to arrange an appointment.

An additional FAQ regarding RefWorks can be found at the RefWorks Web site.