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APA Style: Citation Management Tools and APA Tools

Citation Management Tools and APA Tools

Citation management tools, also called citation management software, reference management software, or bibliographic software, allow you to store and organize your resources and citation information. For information about using these tools to collect and organize literature, see the Library. The following information pertains to citation management tools that generate references and citations, format manuscripts, and/or identify APA errors within manuscripts.

 

 

  • Reciteworks is a website that employs free APA software that indicates whether or not a manuscript contains a reference list entry for every citation.
  • Recite also checks and suggests revisions for citation and reference list entry style errors.
  • This resource is designed to be used after the writing process is complete.

 

 

  • PERRLA is a fee-based software system that formats manuscripts and generates reference list entries and parenthetical citations per APA rules.
  • This resource is designed to be used before and during the writing process.

 

 

  • Zotero is a free software system featuring a Microsoft Word add-in that generates reference list entries and parenthetical citations.
  • This resource is designed to be used before and during the writing process.
  • Zotero can also be used to collect and organize research information and sources. Visit the Library to learn more about Zotero’s literature collection and organization features.

 

 

  • Mendeley Cite is a free Microsoft Word add-in that generates reference list entries and parenthetical citations.
  • This resource is designed to be used before and during the writing process.
  • The Mendeley Reference Manager feature of this program can be used to collect and organize research information and sources. Visit the Library to learn more about Mendeley’s literature collection and organization features.

 

Citation Management Tool and APA Tool Features Checklist

Tool

Formats reference list entries per APA 7 rules

Formats parenthetical citations per APA 7 rules

Formats tables and figures per APA 7 rules

Formats manuscripts per APA 7 rules

Indicates whether or not a manuscript contains a reference for every citation

Provides feedback on reference list entry and citation format

Includes a Microsoft Word add-in

Free or fee-based?

Uses APA 7 perfectly without any errors

Recite

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Free

No

PERRLA

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Fee-based

No

Zotero

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

Yes

Free

No

Mendeley

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

Yes

Free

No 

 

Accuracy of Citation Management Tools and APA Tools

A citation management tool or APA tool with perfect APA formatting accuracy does not exist. A writer can potentially save time when using one or more of the tools listed above. However, in order for a writer to create a perfectly formatted APA manuscript, they must be able to identify and correct the APA errors these systems generate. The more a writer learns about APA, the easier the tools above are to use. Learn more about APA basics through the following resources: