Help: Research Services and Support: RefWorks: Using Library Resources in Blackboard:

Getting Started with RefWorks in Blackboard- Instructions for Instructors

RefWorks accounts can be used to create course reading lists and to foster group collaboration on research projects. Learn how to use RefWorks at http://refworks.cornell.edu.

Instructors can provide links to existing RefWorks accounts in any of the course Content areas (Course Information, Course Documents, Assignments, External Links, etc.). Each content area can link to an entirely different RefWorks account. Course RefWorks account(s) would be in addition to one or more RefWorks accounts students may create for their personal use. For more information on Blackboard and RefWorks, please see http://www.cit.cornell.edu/atc/cst/bb-refworks.shtml.

DIRECTIONS

1. CREATE AN ACCOUNT: The instructor first creates a RefWorks account(s) at http://refworks.cornell.edu. Click on the link that says "Sign up for an Individual Account". Each account you create will need a unique login name and password.

2. DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF STUDENT ACCESS: In Blackboard, the instructor determines access to the account(s) by entering the appropriate type of password, as the following paragraphs explain in detail. Students can have either full access or read-only access.

Full access allows students to search and manage (add, edit and delete), import and export records as well as create bibliographies. Students with full access use the RefWorks link that is made in the course, or the predetermined login name and password if accessing the database outside of Blackboard.

Read-only access allows students to search, view and print references, but not add, edit or delete records. To establish read-only access, the instructor must create a read-only password in the Update User Info area of RefWorks. Students will have direct access to the database through the RefWorks link that is made in the course, or log in with the login name and this read-only password if using the database outside of Blackboard. Course RefWorks account(s) would be in addition to one or more RefWorks account(s) students may create for their personal use.

3. LINK THE ACCOUNT TO BLACKBOARD: To link a RefWorks account to a Blackboard course content area:

• Navigate to the specific course's Control Panel
• Select the content area you would like the RefWorks account linked from.
• Select "Link to RefWorks database" from the drop-down box on the upper right portion of the screen and press the Go button.

4. SET UP STUDENT ACCESS VIA BLACKBOARD: On the Link RefWorks Database page:

• Enter RefWorks account information for the account you wish to link.
• Enter a Title and Link text for display in the course's content area.
  • Database Login Name: This is the name you have given as your RefWorks account login
  • Password: This is the login name for the RefWorks account (see above for a description of the difference between read-only and regular passwords)
  • Course Document Title: This is the title that will be displayed in the Content Area.
  • Text for Database Link: This is the text that will appear as the link to the account

5. FINALIZE THE LINK: When you click submit a link to your account will be created.

If you have questions or would like assistance please email CiteManage-L@cornell.edu or Ask a Librarian or see Citation Tools