2collab

From time to time I am asked about using bibliographic software management systems to share references collaboratively between research teams. I usually point people towards RefWorks’ RefShare, as it is better at this sort of thing in my opinion than EndNote. However, it still isn’t totally without its problems.

There is a new product available from Elsevier which may provide an easier way to deal with this. It is called 2collab and it is a free web-based service.

It allows you to bookmark and save references as you search. At the moment it will only pick up information from Elsevier products, Science Direct and Scopus being the main ones, however you can key in the references manually. There is a bookmarking widget which you can use on your browser to make importing easier. You can also import references into or out of 2collab from RefWorks or Endnote.

2collab allows you to add tags to any references, anything that you want –module numbers, for example. Users can also add reviews or comments to a reference.

There are 3 ways to share the information. You can set up a closed group, the way that is it most frequently used, where only named users can see and use the information. This is ideal for research groups but it could also be used for sharing information with students on a module. You can have a closed group where references can be seen but you have to apply to the list owner to add information. Finally there is an open group, where anyone can participate.

For more information there is a video.

www.2collab.com