Organizing and Managing Research: Tools, Tips, and Ways to Stay Up-to-Date

 

Change your Google Scholar settings.

 One simple change can turn Google Scholar into what's effectively a Harvard database -- with links to the full-text of journal articles that the library can provide you, free of charge. Here's what to do: 

  • Look to the left of the GS screen and click on the "hamburger" ()
  • Click on  (choose Settings once you click on the gear icon)
  • Click on the submenu, "Library Links." 
  • Type  Harvard  into the search box and save your choice.  As long as you allow cookies, the settings will keep.  (Make sure it's Harvard University and not the Harvard, MA public library)

Add the HL Bookmark or the Lean Library browser extension to your toolbar.

These browser plugins allow you to access our subscription materials without having to go through the library portal.

Which you choose is ultimately a matter of preference. 

When you are searching on the web (or in Google Scholar)  Lean Library will automatically alert you to content you have available via Harvard with a pop up window.  For some researchers, this feature can become intrusive and distracting, rather than helpful. 

The Harvard Library Bookmark is something you create, rather than just install.  With this model, you simply click on the bookmark at the times when you want to check Harvard access.

Both Lean Library and the Harvard Library Bookmark offer great convenience, but like most things, they aren't infallible. Our holdings can be complex enough to confound this very good software on occasion. You can always double-check for online access by searching titles in HOLLIS. 

Read journals on your smartphone or desktop with Browzine.

BrowZine is a reader app for desktops, tablets and smartphones that enables easy browsing and reading of online journals. It also enables you to build a bookshelf of your favorite journals (with alerts!) and open the articles you want to read through your library's subscription links.

Use Perma cc: so your links will never die.

Don't let the good links you're collecting go bad! Perma.cc is the answer to link rot. Check out our Perma.cc FAQ for details.

Hutchins Fellows should request a Harvard Perma cc: account (which gives you additional privileges over the free default version) by using the ask.library.harvard.edu form.   Use the subject line ATTN: Ramona Islam or Emily Bell.

Create an ORCID account.

If you haven't already, take control of your author profile with an ORCID (Open Research and Contributor ID). Never be confused with another scholar; ensure that databases (and the scholars who consult them) can identify your body of work, and more.

Publishers and funding sources are increasingly requiring these IDs.

If you don't already use a citation manager, this might be a good time to start

We offer lots of Zotero sessions in the fall, or you can get one on one help. We also have a Zotero User Group for folks who already use it and want to tap into the local user community.

FAS affiliates have access to the latest version of EndNote as well, via the FAS Downloads page. (If this page isn't working, try another browser and then contact HUIT for assistance.