Managing research data with reference management tools: A changing research landscape

This paper discusses research data management using reference management tools in the digital environment. In the 21^st century rapid growth of ICT applications in academics and research has created a high-tech environment in research data management. Reference management tools help a researcher to create, organize, store and share data with other researchers. They help to make more accurate and systematic references/citations compared to traditional manual systems. Currently, many reference management tools are freely available on internet but the more popular reference management tools are Mendeley, End Note, Ref Works, Bib Desk, Zotero, Reference Manager and Referencer etc.. The author describes the role of Mendeley as a reference manager and different steps of managing research data by the researchers. The key benefits as well as major challenges associated with the use of these tools were also discussed. The study recommends that research institutions and universities should make an effort to acquire these tools and conduct awareness programs for the new researchers regularly.