RefWorks Fundamentals Training – Module 1 Getting Started With RefWorks Leader Guide
RefWorks Fundamentals Training Module 1
Getting Started With RefWorks: Creating an Account and
Logging In
Pre-requisite: None
Module length: 10 minutes
Module objective: At the end of this module users will be able to create their own
RefWorks account and log in to that account from on-site or off-site.
Overview of RefWorks:
RefWorks is a personal information and research manager that allows users to
create their own online database of bibliographic information that can be organized
and used when writing a paper or article and then formatted in over 800 different
output styles.
Reference data is entered or imported into a RefWorks account and then organized
and managed. The information can then be used when writing a paper or article,
inserting temporary citation placeholders into a document at the exact spot where
final in-text citations and/or footnotes should appear.
Once the draft version of the paper or article is completed, RefWorks “reads” those
temporary citation placeholders and based on the output style that the user has
chosen, formats them according to that style, as well as creates a bibliography or
endnotes. A new version of the paper is returned to the user for saving.
Because RefWorks is web-based, users can access their account from any computer
with internet access. Data is stored on RefWorks’ servers – not locally. Also, there’s
no software upgrades to deal with – everything happens on RefWorks’ servers so
new features are available immediately.
Section 1 – Creating an Individual Account:
Leader Tip: Organizations using the Athens authentication system will need to
modify these instructions.
Before a user can do anything with RefWorks (other than look at the help file
and tutorial!) they need to create their own personal account.
Each subscribing organization has its own specific login screen. That
particular screen is titled “RefWorks User Login for (your organization name
here)”.
This is the ONLY place users should be registering for their RefWorks account.
If users register from the page with the 3 tabs (remote access, individual login, and trial log-in) they have registered for a 30-day trial account.
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©2007 RefWorks LLC
RefWorks Fundamentals Training – Module 1 Getting Started With RefWorks Leader Guide
This page can be accessed on-site (with your organization’s IP range) or from
off-site using a group code or proxy/vpn access (accessing the login page
from off-site instructions will be covered later in this session).
From on-site, the Organization-specific login page should automatically
appear when you go to www.refworks.com/refworks (substitute with your
login URL if different)
To sign up for an account, users need to click on the link that says “Sign up
For an Individual Account”.

Demonstrate how a user would create their account.
Mention that upon registering, users will receive an email confirming their
registration. Suggest that users save this email for future reference.
Users can create multiple accounts – RefWorks doesn’t limit the number of
accounts per organization.
There’s no limit to the number of references a user can have in an account.
Leader Tip: If your organization has customized this email, inform users what
information will be contained in the content.
Point out links to the Tutorial, Help file and Quick Start Guide on the main
page (and in the toolbar). Mention that this main page will not be available
once they add references to their account.
Show Log out button.
o It is not mandatory to log out of RefWorks, but highly suggested. Not
logging out leaves an account vulnerable to others (depending on how
the user sets up their browser caching).
Section 2 – Logging in from On-Site:
Leader Tip: Organizations using the Athens authentication system will need to
modify these instructions.
There are two ways to login to RefWorks. The first is from an IP-authenticated
computer. The second is from a computer that is not IP-authenticated (for example,
from a personal computer at home).
From an IP-authenticated organization, simply go to
www.refworks.com/refworks
Leader Tip: Your organization may have a different login URL. Use your
appropriate RefWorks login URL.
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©2007 RefWorks LLC
RefWorks Fundamentals Training – Module 1 Getting Started With RefWorks Leader Guide
IP-authentication brings the user directly to the organization-specific login
page “RefWorks User Login for (Your Organization’s Name Here)”. Users
simply fill in the login name and password in the area provided.
If a user is on-site at an organization that uses RefWorks, but is not his/her
organization, they can get to the “public” login screen by clicking on the link
that says “Not Your Organization? Log in using you Group Code”. This takes
the user out of IP-authentication where they can follow the instructions for
logging in from off-site (covered next).
Section 3 – Logging in from Off-Site:
Leader Tip: Organizations using the Athens authentication system will need to
modify these instructions.
If your organization uses the group code for off-site access, go to
www.refworks.com/refworks (or your organization’s RefWorks URL).

Demonstrate how users should and enter your Organization’s
group code to get to your organization-specific login page.
If your organization uses a proxy server or VPN, direct users to that URL and
provide instructions for logging in.
o
Once users are logged in, direct them to www.refworks.com/refworks
(or your organization’s RefWorks URL) if they are not automatically
directed there by the proxy server or VPN.
Users can then log in as if on-site.
Section 4 – Conclusion
Users should now be familiar with how to create an account
Users should be familiar with how to access the RefWorks login page for
their organization from on-site or off and be able to log in to their
personal account.
Next up – it’s time to learn about the various areas and features of
RefWorks…
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©2007 RefWorks LLC