Skip to Main Content

Citation Management

A guide to Citation Management using two of our recommended resources: Zotero and EndNoteWeb

About BibTeX

BibTeX is a reference management system used primarily in conjunction with the LaTeX document preparation system. Created in 1985 by Oren Patashnik and Leslie Lamport, it serves as both a file format and a tool for formatting lists of references. BibTeX is particularly popular in scientific, mathematical, and technical fields where LaTeX is commonly used. While not a full-featured citation manager like Zotero or Mendeley, many modern reference management tools can export to and import from BibTeX format, making it an important standard in academic publishing.

Pros and Cons of Using BibTeX

Pros:

  • LaTeX integration. Seamless compatibility with LaTeX, the preferred document preparation system in many scientific and mathematical fields.
  • Plain text format. bib files are human-readable text files that can be edited with any text editor and tracked using version control systems like Git.
  • Stability. Mature, stable technology that has been used reliably for decades.
  • Style separation. Clear separation between content (references) and presentation (citation style) through BST style files.
  • Portability. Widely supported format that can be imported/exported by most other reference managers.
  • Programming flexibility. Can be manipulated programmatically, allowing for automation and custom processing.
  • Database reusability. Single BibTeX database can be used across multiple documents and projects.
  • Advanced sorting. Sophisticated sorting and formatting of bibliographies based on customizable rules.

Cons:

  • Steep learning curve. Requires familiarity with LaTeX and command-line operations, making it less accessible to beginners.
  • Limited GUI options. Fewer user-friendly interfaces compared to modern reference managers.
  • Manual maintenance. Often requires manual entry and correction of bibliographic information.
  • No built-in PDF management. Lacks integrated PDF storage, annotation, and management.
  • Limited field types. Standard BibTeX has a fixed set of fields, though BibLaTeX offers extensions.
  • Character limitations. Can have issues with special characters, diacritics, and non-Latin alphabets (though solutions exist).
  • No collaboration features. Lacks built-in sharing and collaboration tools found in modern alternatives.
  • No web capture. No native way to capture references directly from websites or databases.