Use of Reference Management Software by Graduate Students: A Case Study at Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia

Authors

  • Purwani Istiana Faculty of Geography Library, University of Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7962-2050
  • Shivendra Singh Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Punjab, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33701/ijolib.v6i2.5313

Keywords:

Academic library, Faculty of Geography, Mendeley, Management Software

Abstract

Abstract

Problem Statement: Large-scale analysis at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Indonesia, to assess students’ awareness and usage of Reference Management Software (RMS) in academic writing tools has been limited. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the extent to which postgraduate students at UGM are familiar with and use RMS in analysis and academic writing. Method: A descriptive survey method was applied using an online questionnaire distributed to postgraduate students at Faculty of Geography, UGM. Furthermore, a total of 52 valid responses were collected and analyzed. Results: The results showed that 94.2% (49) of students were aware of RMS, such as Mendeley, Zotero, and EndNote. The remaining 5.8% (3) were not aware of the existence of RMS. Mendeley was the most widely used, and out of the 49 students who were aware of the existence of RMS, only 2% or 1, did not adopt the application in scientific writing. The knowledge of the software was obtained from librarians or libraries in 44% of cases. Conclusion: Librarians play an important role in enhancing students’ ability to use RMS effectively. This study recommends that libraries continue to offer structured and periodic training programs to strengthen students’ productivity and digital literacy. The results contribute new insights into RMS adoption in Indonesian higher education and report the evolving role of librarians in supporting activities.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Berry, T. U., Milewski, S. D., Sexton, M. C., Sharp, A. L., & Williamson, J. M. (2020). Understanding user needs for citation management program support. Public Services Quarterly, 16(2), 71-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228959.2019.1687070

Bugyei, K. A., Kavi, R. K., & Obeng-Koranteng, G. (2019). Assessing the Awareness and Usage of Reference Management Software (RMS) Among Researchers of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Ghana. Journal of Information & Knowledge Management, 18(03), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1142/S021964921950031X

Castillo, A. G. R., Paricahua, E. W. P., Paricahua, A. K. P., Lopez, H. R. P., Huayta-Meza, F. T., León, C. R. R., Mohamed, M. M. H., Cabala, J. L. B., Pérez, L. A. C., & Mansilla, E. B. R. (2022). Bibliographic Reference Management: The Role of Technological Appropriation in Students. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 100(100), 133-157. https://ejer.com.tr/bibliographic-reference-management-the-role-of-technological-appropriation-in-students-2/

Cuschieri, S., Grech, V., & Calleja, N. (2019). WASP (Write a Scientific Paper): The use of bibliographic management software. Early Human Development, 128, 118-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2018.09.012

Jegan, M. S., & Balasubramanian, P. (2022). Influencing Features and Factors of Reference Management Software among University Research Scholars in Tamil Nadu, India. Indian Journal of Information Sources and Services, 12(2), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.51983/ijiss-2022.12.2.3105

Kalisdha, A. (2023). The Future of Library Science Research: Tools and Databases. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology, 11(11), 700-707. https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2023.56602

Lonergan, N. (2017). Reference management software preferences among liberal arts faculty. Reference Services Review, 45(4), 584-595. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-06-2017-0024

Madhusudhan, M. (2016). Use of online citation tools by students and research scholars of department of library and information science, University of Delhi. DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology, 36(3), 164-172. https://doi.org/10.14429/DJLIT.36.3.9428

Marshall, C. (2020). Citation Management Software Raises Library Profile. Journal of Hospital Librarianship, 20(2), 151-155. https://doi.org/10.1080/15323269.2020.1738850

Nitsos, I., Malliari, A., & Chamouroudi, R. (2022). Use of reference management software among postgraduate students in Greece. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 54(1), 95-107. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000621996413

Osmani, M., Mza, R., Ahmad, B. A., & Arif, A. S. (2016). Reference management software (RMS) in an academic environment: A survey at a research university in Malaysia. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, 88(1), 135-144. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301607623_Reference_Management_Software_RMS_in_an_Academic_Environment_a_Survey_at_a_Research_University_in_Malaysia

Rakshatha, & D.Pai, R. (2019). Awareness and Use of Research Support Tools by Researchers of Manipal Institute of Technology, MAHE, Manipal: An Analytical Study. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2019, 1-15. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85103729997&partnerID=40&md5=48cb600c3aaebdc36467e3ddfcbba4e6

Rangaswamy, & Rajendra, B. H. (2021). Researcher's Perception on Zotero and Mendeley Reference Management Tools: A Study. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2021, 1-12.

Reis, M. A. F., Favretto, J., Favretto, N. M., Favretto, L. M. H., & dos Santos, R. P. (2022). Knowledge management in the classroom using Mendeley technology. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 48(4), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2021.102486

Ribeiro, A., Costa, L. M., & Seixas, P. F. (2020). Research support at University of Porto libraries. In Cases on Research Support Services in Academic Libraries (pp. 121-141). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-4546-1.CH006

Sarrafzadeh, M., & Hazeri, A. (2014). The familiarity and use of reference management software by LIS faculties in Iran. New Library World, 115(11-12), 558-570. https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-02-2014-0018

Sarrafzadeh, M., & Khaleghi, N. (2017). Instruction of citation management tools by academic librarians: The need for training the trainers. Webology, 14(1), 53-65. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85031024484&partnerID=40&md5=e1e5b26d256c94244a5ec2c545ad3c15

Singh, A. K., & Mahawar, K. L. (2021). Awareness of Reference Management Software’s among the Research Scholars of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University and Mahatma Gandhi Central University. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2021, 1-9. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352350743_Awareness_of_Reference_Management_Software%27s_among_the_Research_Scholars_of_Babasaheb_Bhimrao_Ambedkar_University_and_Mahatma_Gandhi_Central_University

Speare, M. (2018). Graduate Student Use and Non-use of Reference and PDF Management Software: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 44(6), 762-774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2018.09.019

Williams, L., & Woods, L. (2024). Reference management practices of students, researchers, and academic staff. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 50(3), 102879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2024.102879

Yangui, F., Abouda, M., & Charfi, M. R. (2020). Researchers' and medical student' experience in reference management software in a low-income country. Tunisie Medicale, 98(1), 17-21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32395773

Downloads

Published

2025-12-09