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Spark 001 (Nies)

Using RefWorks to Build an Annotated Bibliography

Key Characteristics

Big Picture

APA style features in-text parenthetical citations, with a focus on author/date, and a corresponding Reference page.

In-Text Citations

  • elements include author's last name, year of publication and page number(s)
  • elements in are separated by commas - Example:  (Arnold, 2015, p. 378)
  • a direct quote requires a page number preceded by p. - Example: ... as the "individuals pronounced vocally and fearlessly" (Smith, 2016, p. 201)
  • page numbers are still encouraged for summary and paraphrase though not necessary - Example: (Goriava & Woodland, 2017)
  • author's name may be excluded if found in the introductory text - Example: Patel (2013) found that .... " " (p. 67)
  • p. used for page; pp. used for multiple pages - Example: (Ramble, 2014, pp. 45-49)
  • works by two authors use the ampersand in the parentheses - Example: (Goriava & Woodland, 2017)

In-Text Citations: The Basics (OWL Purdue)
In-Text Citations: Author/Authors (OWL Purdue)
When and How to Include Page Numbers in APA Style Citations (APA Blog)
Citing References in Text (Basics of APA Style Tutorial)

Reference List ...

  • has the title of References, centered at top
  • includes hanging indents after the first line for each entry
  • is organized alphabetically by the last name of the first author
  • gives initials to first names of authors
  • italicizes book and journal titles
  • capitalizes the first word and the first word after a semi-colon of a journal article title
  • capitalizes all major words in journal titles
  • common elements & order of citation elements:

Reference List: Basic Rules (OWL Purdue)
Reference List: Author/Authors (OWL Purdue)

Create a Bibliography in RefWorks

This video (2:06) demonstrates how to create a bibliography in RefWorks whether for many references or a single reference.

Cite While You Write in Word

This video (3:56) provides a brief introduction to using the Reference Citation Manager (RCM) in Word 2016 or higher. Find out how to cite your RefWorks references while you are writing!

Set-Up RefWorks Add-On in Google Docs

If you have a Google account and would like to integrate RefWorks with Google Docs, you will first need to create an Alternate Password.

1. Click on the drop-down menu underneath your name and select "Settings".

2. Scroll down to find the "Alternate Password" heading.

3. Click on "Change Password" and update it. This is the password you will need to enter when connecting Google Docs to RefWorks. 

1. Log into your Google account.

2. Open a new Google Doc.

3. Click on "Add-ons" in the top ribbon.

4. Click on "Get add-ons..."

5. Search for ProQuest RefWorks.

6. Click on the +Free button.

7. Select your Google account.

8. Click on the "Agree" button to allow RefWorks to access your Google account.

1. Click on "Add-ons" in the top ribbon of the Google Doc again.

2. Hover over "RefWorks ProQuest." Click on "Manage citations."

3. Since this is the first time you are using RefWorks, you will need to log in using your UC Merced email and the Alternate Password you set up in RefWork's settings (see the box labeled #1).

4. A RefWorks pane will appear on the right-side of the screen.

The default is set to view all of your references, but, if you have organized your references into folders in RefWorks, the drop-down menu will allow you to view references by specific folder. The example below shows references that were last imported.

Cite While You Write in Google Docs

This video (2:07) gets you started on using the RefWorks Add-In in Google documents so you can cite while your write.