Research Tools: Organize Research Materials
| Organize your notes and brainstorm ideas using tools like mind maps, sticky notes, or reference managers. |
EndNote
Reference management tool for organizing citations, building bibliographies, and citing while writing.
Type: Reference Management
Access: Free
Where Can I Access It?: Available through Tigerware
Availability: Desktop
Skill Level: Intermediate
Potential Use Cases: Graduate students writing a thesis or large paper.
Obsidian
Personal knowledge base and note-taking application.
Type: Knowledge Management
Access: Free
Where Can I Access It?: Must be installed on personal computer
Availability: Desktop
Skill Level: Intermediate
Potential Use Cases: Managing Zettelkasten-like notes, advanced knowledge mapping, tracking literature.
Zotero
Open-source reference manager for managing and sharing research sources and creating citations.
Type: Reference Management
Access: Free
Where Can I Access It?: Must be installed on personal computer
Availability: Desktop
Skill Level: Basic
Potential Use Cases: Undergraduates and graduate students managing sources and citations for writing projects.
Mendeley
Reference manager and academic social network for managing PDFs and research papers.
Type: Reference Management
Access: Free
Where Can I Access It?: Must be installed on personal computer
Availability: Desktop
Skill Level: Basic
Potential Use Cases: Undergraduate and graduate students organizing their research libraries.
OneNote
Microsoft’s note-taking tool with cross-device sync, integrates with Word, Excel, and Teams.
Type: Productivity Suite
Access: Free
Where Can I Access It?: Tigerware
Availability: Desktop
Skill Level: Basic
Potential Use Cases: Students taking class notes, project planning.
Notion
Workspace for note-taking, knowledge and data management, project and task management.
Type: Knowledge Management
Access: Free
Where Can I Access It?: Must be installed on personal computer
Availability: Desktop
Skill Level: Intermediate
Potential Use Cases: Students managing projects, research notes; faculty organizing course content or lab workflows.
Tropy
Tool for organizing and annotating research photos, especially archival images.
Type: Knowledge Management
Access: Free
Where Can I Access It?: Must be installed on personal computer
Availability: Desktop
Skill Level: Intermediate
Potential Use Cases: History or archival research students managing primary source photographs.
LSU Resources
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Research Consultations with LibrariansConnect with a subject librarian for specialized research assistance.
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Information Literacy TutorialsTutorials covering how to develop a research topic, identify and evaluate sources, and ethical use of information.
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Mind Mapping 101LSU Library's guide to mind mapping and word banking.
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How to Find ArticlesLSU Library's guide to finding relevant information sources.
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Database AccessLSU Library provides access to over 300 academic databases.
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Using Citation Management SoftwareUse citation management software to create bibliographies, lists of works cited, and individualized research libraries.
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CxC Writing SupportAre you looking for help with your writing? You can stop into a CxC Studio (Coates Hall 151 or Design 215) to connect with a Writing Mentor, or book an appointment online.
Further Resources
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Building a Second Brain
by
ISBN: 9781982167387Publication Date: 2022-06-14A revolutionary approach to enhancing productivity, creating flow, and vastly increasing your ability to capture, remember, and benefit from the unprecedented amount of information all around us.
