The tabs below explain how to download search results from various databases and import references into tools like Covidence and reference managers (Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley). Most tabs focus on downloading RIS files, a common format accepted by these tools.
Exporting for Covidence:
Exporting search results this way will create a .txt file. This file can be uploaded to Covidence, but it can not be imported in to most citation manager programs.
Step 1: Enter in your full search string to the search bar.
Step 2: Click on the "Save" button.
Step 3: Under Selection, choose "All Results." Under Format, choose "PubMed." Click the blue "Create File" button.
Exporting for Citation Manager Tool:
Exporting search results this way will create a .nbib file. This file type can be imported into citation manager programs, but is not able to import into Covidence.
Step 1: Enter in the search string.
Step 2: Click on the "Send to" button.
Step 3: Click on "Citation Manager" from the drop down list.
Step 4: Under Selection, choose "All Results." Click the blue "Create file" button.
Step 1: Enter in your full search string to the search bar.
Step 2: At the top of the results list check the "All" box. If it is a large results list the results will have to be exported in chunks of 501 at a time by entering in "1 -501) in the box next to the "All" check box. Based on your size of the results list you may need to do more than one download based on the size of your results.
Step 3: Click on "Export."
Step 4: A side window will open up. Under "Format" select "RIS" from the list. Under "Fields" select "Complete Reference" from the list. Then click the blue Export button in the bottom right hand corner.
It is important to select complete reference instead of just citation because the abstract is not included in the just the citation export. The abstract is needed during the first phase of screening and this will save you time later.
Step 1: Enter in your full search string to the search bar.
Step 2: Use the dropdown menu called "Select number of items" to choose the full number of results. If the results list is large groups of 10,000 can be done at a time, thus it might require more than one export to gather the entire list.
Step 3: Then click on "Export"
Step 4: A new window will open up. Make sure "RIS format (Mendeley, EndNote)" is listed in the "Format" line at the top of the window. Click the blue "Export" button.
Step 1: Enter in your full search string to the search bar.
Step 2: At the top of the results list check the "All" box. Scopus allows for results to be exported in chunks of 20,000 at a time, depending on the size of your results list you may need to do more than one download.
Step 3: Click on "Export. When the drop down list appears select "RIS" from under File Type.
Step 4: A window will open. All the items under Citation Information are automatically selected. It is important to also select "Abstract & keyword" (or at least the Abstract under the Abstract & keyword column). You need the abstract during the first phase of screening and this will save you time later. Click on the blue "Export" button.
Step 1: Enter in your full search string to the search bar.
Step 2: Click on the "Export" button at the top of the results list. From the drop down menu select "RIS (other reference software)" from the list.
Step 3: In the new window select the radio button next to "Records from:" then under "Record Content" be sure to select "Author, Title, Source, Abstract" from the drop down menu, the abstract is necessary for the first phase of screening and this will save you time. Click on the purple "Export" button.
Web of Science allows for 1,000 records to be downloaded at a time, so you may need to do more than one download based on the size of your results.
Step 1: Enter in your full search string to the search bar.
Step 2: Because there are multiple databases included, you need to click on the tab of the database of interest (usually Cochrane Reviews or Trials). Steps 3 and 4 will need to be repeated for each tab you wish to download results from.
Step 3: Click the "Select all" box. Then click "Export selected citations".
Step 4: A window will open. Choose "RIS (Reference Manager)" format from the list of options. Make sure the "Include Abstracts" box is checked and click the blue Download.
This method allows for downloads of 20,000 results at a time and Proquest restricts you to 10 downloads a day, so please keep this in mind if you are trying to download large number of results.
Step 1: Sign in to your My Research account or create an account if you do not have one.
Step 2: Enter in your full search string to the search bar.
Step 3: Click on "Export Results" located above the results list. If you do not see the "Export Results" button you are not logged in and need to go back to step 1.
Step 4: A new window will open up. Choose "RIS" from the "Select format" drop down menu and make sure to select the "Yes" radio button where it says "Include abstracts". Click on the blue "Accept button at the bottom of the window.
Step 5: The file will not immediately download. Go to "Saved searches" under the head icon.
Step 6: Under the desired search click on "Export Results" to download the file.
Step 1: Enter in your full search string to the search bar.
Step 2: At the top of the results list click on "Share" button and select "Email a link to download exported results" from the drop down list.
Step 3: Enter you email address and make sure to select the radio button for "RIS Format.' Click on the yellow "Send" button.
Step 4: In the email you receive, copy the link provided into a new browser tab and a zipper RIS file will download.
Step 5: Unzip the file before attempting to upload to Covidence or citation manager.
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