Biology 3420: Animal Behavior

Keeping track of the sources you've consulted during your literature research can save you time and make it more efficient as you move from one database to another or return to a source for additional searching.  A reference manager (see more in the next box) will help you keep track of your citations, keep track of PDFs of your resources, and help you create a bibliography in the appropriate citation style.

You might also try creating a concept map as you conduct your research.  As you map out the information you have found so far, along with the sources (books and journal articles) you have to support that information, you can see where there are still gaps in your literature review.

If you do not already have a reference manager then try using Zotero to help you quickly format your references list and keep track of your resources.  For more information, review our guide on using Zotero.