Product: EndNote Plus 2.3 for Windows
Author: Dr. Vicente Alfaro
Discipline: Physiology
I am a
researcher in Spain, which is not always a comfortable situation. In
the past, when the Internet was just the science fiction of Assimov,
it was quite difficult to find bibliographic references. Today, most
people know of tools that aid scientists in maintaining their references
and bibliographic databases, but few people actually use them. To compile
a reference list, I usually spent hours and hours collecting references,
digging out papers, and bringing the list into its appropriate editorial
shape. This is our usual method to deal with referencing, and I accept
it as part of the job. As I was recently searching the scientific literature, collecting articles, and writing papers it became apparent that I would need an electronic system to 1) organize my "reprint" collection (containing copies of scientific articles); 2) assist in citing/formatting references for scientific papers; 3) use in retrieving reprints from my files (if possible).
One day
a colleague of mine showed me that he used EndNote to maintain a database
of relevant publications. He gave me a copy of his database, and because
there were many useful references in it I started using EndNote to access
this resource. During the following years, I gradually discovered what
is possible with EndNote, and later with EndNote Plus. Although every
program takes some investment at first, EndNote was so accessible that
it rapidly became my preferred bibliographic aid. Once I had decided
to use EndNote for reference management and manuscript preparation I
spent several weeks deciding how I was going to use it. I am not only
a researcher and professor at the University but also medical writer
for pharmaceutical companies. This represents an enormous pressure with
respect to time and objectives (always the date of final presentation
of the work is closer to the day of the order).
I was surprised to find that very few of my colleagues had a comprehensive electronic method of organizing, referencing, and retrieving their reprint collections. I knew that once I started compiling my database, I might be using the system for years. I therefore took careful thought about how to proceed. I am now devoted to this program: it offers a wide range of possibilities that make it a huge time-saver,a great organizer, and a powerful tool. In our University we have direct access to all relevant abstracts on CD-ROM and ERL systems. I use these CD-ROMs to look up papers that are worthwhile, and I can read the abstracts without leaving my desk. The great power of EndNote Plus is that it interfaces perfectly with this
database. I now use EndLink to capture my references directly from CD-ROM,
I plug the references directly into my manuscript, and I leave all the
rest for Endnote to sort out. When the time comes, I simply ask the
Endnote plug-in to format my bibliography, and it does so impeccably.
The power
of EndNote Plus to deal with your bibliographic requirements from within
your word processor are especially invaluable. It is simply one less
headache, especially when one has to switch from one editorial style
to another. It is a tool every researcher should use. I certainly cannot
work without it.
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