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Zotero: Getting Started

Get Started

Download Zotero software ->     

Once download is complete, OPEN Zotero

Set Preferences:

  • From computer menu bar: Zotero > Preferences
  • Choose Sync > "Create account" and create w/ amersol
  • Verify your email address (click link they send)
  • Return to Sync + Log in + Sync

If not already installed, download the Chrome Connector ->   

All done? Open Zotero

From Zotero desktop application:

Hover over icons

 - Collections are playlists of resources you create

 - Libraries are groups of resources that may have collections inside them (or not)

 - Items can be any kind of resource you'd like to add

 - Magic Wand adds items/resources by "identifier" such as DOI or ISBN (for books)

 - Notes can be "child" to stay with an item or "Standalone" to hover alongside a collection or library

 - Attachments are a way to add an item

 - Locate is a way to find any item via name, tag, or other search terms

Install Plug-ins

Zotero runs as a separate application on your hard drive and plugs into your Chrome browser.

You must have the Zotero application open in order to use the Chrome capture icons. (If you don't you will be redirected to Zotero's website.) 

  • From the Zotero computer menu bar, choose Tools > Chrome Connector - A box will appear in the lower right-hand corner of the browser asking if you want to continue. Click Continue. Then click "Install" when Chrome asks if you want to install.
  • You will see the Zotero capture icon in the Chrome address bar   when you are on a page that Zotero can grab

Integration with Google Docs

You should see the Zotero tab in any Google Doc. 

If not, go here: https://www.zotero.org/blog/google-docs-integration/

Zotero menu in Google Docs

Create Collections

Create at least one collection 

Consider ways you will use Zotero

Organize by Course? Assignment? Year? Purpose?

When creating Collections, think nesting or hierarchies because collections can live "inside" each other. And they also all exist in your full library.

For Example:

  • ESS
    • ESS 18-19
      • IA
    • ESS 19-20
      • IA
      • Lab
  • Lang/Lit

Tagging

You can also organize with TAGS.

Tagged resources show similarities in items across your whole library.

Example: items tagged "eco" might exist in your ESS Collection AND in a collection about travel resorts with an eco theme. It depends on what you have chosen for categories (tags) on each resource.

Add, edit, and delete tags as needed.

Add to your library

Practice adding resources, tagging, adding notes

Put each item in a collection.

Out of the four items, add at least one tag and one note.

1) Add via the Chrome button:

2) Add via the DOI :

3) Download this PDF and add it as an attachment :

4) Add this via the Chrome button: