Tag: dailyprompt-2028

How to Use Mendeley for Citation and Bibliography Generation

By SN Sharma

Step-by-step guide on how to use Mendeley for citation and bibliography generation — from setting it up to seamlessly inserting references into your work.

1. Install and Set Up Mendeley

  • Download: Go to https://www.mendeley.com and download Mendeley Reference Manager.
  • Create an Account: Sign up (or log in) with your email.
  • Install Citation Plugin:
    • For Microsoft Word: In Mendeley Reference Manager, go to Tools → Install Mendeley Cite for Microsoft Word.
    • Alternatively, install Mendeley Cite as an add-in from Microsoft Office Add-ins store.

2. Add References to Your Library

You can add references in multiple ways:

  • Manual Entry: Click Add New → Add Entry Manually, then fill in details like Author, Title, Year, Publisher, DOI, etc.
  • Import PDF: Drag and drop a PDF; Mendeley will extract metadata.
  • Import from Databases:
    • Use Mendeley Web Importer (a browser extension) to capture references from Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, etc.
  • Import RIS/BibTeX files: If you have downloaded citations in RIS or BibTeX format, go to File → Import.

3. Organize Your References

  • Folders/Collections: Group references by topic, project, or paper.
  • Tags: Add keywords for easy searching.
  • Annotations: Open PDFs inside Mendeley to highlight text and add notes.

4. Insert Citations in Word or Google Docs

  • In Word (Mendeley Cite):
    1. Open your document.
    2. Go to the References tab → click Mendeley Cite (or open it from the Add-ins menu).
    3. Search for the reference you want → click Insert Citation.
    4. Mendeley will insert the citation in your chosen style.
  • In Google Docs: Mendeley doesn’t directly integrate, but you can:
    1. Use Mendeley Cite in Word and then paste into Google Docs, OR
    2. Export citations as plain text from Mendeley and paste.

5. Generate a Bibliography

  • In Word with Mendeley Cite:
    1. Place the cursor where you want the bibliography.
    2. Click Insert Bibliography in Mendeley Cite.
    3. It will auto-generate based on all citations in the document.
  • Bibliography will update automatically when you add or remove citations.

6. Choose and Change Citation Styles

  • In Mendeley Cite, click Citation Style to select from formats like:
    • APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, IEEE, etc.
  • If you can’t find your required style:

7. Export References

If you need to share or move your references:

  • File → Export → choose RIS, BibTeX, or EndNote XML format.

8. Tips for Smooth Use

  • Keep your library synced to the cloud so you can access it on multiple devices.
  • Double-check imported data for accuracy — automated extraction sometimes misreads author names or titles.
  • Backup your library (File → Export Library) regularly.

✅ Summary:
Mendeley acts as both a reference manager and citation generator. You simply add your references to the library, insert them into your writing via Mendeley Cite, and let it auto-generate and format citations and bibliographies in your chosen style — saving you hours of manual formatting.

References

Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2023). Fundamentals of research writing and uses of research methodologies. Edupedia Publications Pvt Ltd.

Dehalwar, K. S. S. N., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Exploring the distinctions between quantitative and qualitative research methods. Think India Journal, 27(1), 7-15.

Elston, D. M. (2019). Mendeley. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 81(5), 1071.

Holt Zaugg, Richard E. West, Isaku Tateishi, Daniel L. Randall. (2011). Mendeley: Creating communities of scholarly inquiry through research collaboration.

Jain, S., Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Explanation of Delphi research method and expert opinion surveys. Think India, 27(4), 37-48.

Kratochvíl, J. (2017). Comparison of the accuracy of bibliographical references generated for medical citation styles by EndNote, Mendeley, RefWorks and Zotero. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 43(1), 57-66.

MacMillan, D. (2012). Mendeley: teaching scholarly communication and collaboration through social networking. Library Management, 33(8/9), 561-569.

Reiswig, J. (2010). Mendeley. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 98(2), 193.

Sharma, S. N., & Dehalwar, K. (2025). A Systematic Literature Review of Transit-Oriented Development to Assess Its Role in Economic Development of City. Transportation in Developing Economies, 11(2), 23.

Planning Theories are Still Applicable

Daily writing prompt
What brings you peace?
View all responses

By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

Planning theory is a crucial aspect of urban and regional planning, providing the intellectual framework and guiding principles that shape how planners think about the design, development, and management of spaces. Here’s an overview of key concepts and theories in planning:

1. Rational Planning Theory

  • Description: Rational planning is a systematic, step-by-step approach to decision-making. It is often seen as a linear process, beginning with problem identification, followed by the setting of goals, generation of alternatives, evaluation of alternatives, and finally, implementation and monitoring.
  • Criticism: It is criticized for being too rigid and not accounting for the complexities of real-world planning, where multiple stakeholders and unpredictable factors play a role.

2. Incrementalism

  • Description: Also known as “muddling through,” incrementalism suggests that planning should proceed through small, manageable changes rather than grand, comprehensive plans. Decisions are made through a series of minor adjustments rather than sweeping changes.
  • Key Figure: Charles Lindblom.
  • Criticism: It may lead to a lack of long-term vision and perpetuate existing inequalities.

3. Advocacy Planning

  • Description: Advocacy planning emerged in response to the perceived failure of traditional planning to address the needs of marginalized communities. It argues that planners should act as advocates for underrepresented groups, ensuring their voices are heard in the planning process.
  • Key Figure: Paul Davidoff.
  • Criticism: It can lead to conflicts between different advocacy groups and may challenge the notion of the planner as a neutral expert.

4. Communicative Planning Theory

  • Description: This theory focuses on the role of communication and dialogue in the planning process. It emphasizes the importance of engaging all stakeholders in a collaborative process where diverse perspectives are considered.
  • Key Figures: Patsy Healey, John Forester.
  • Criticism: It can be time-consuming and may struggle to reconcile deep-seated conflicts among stakeholders.

5. Radical Planning

  • Description: Radical planning challenges the status quo by questioning the power dynamics inherent in traditional planning processes. It advocates for grassroots, bottom-up approaches that empower communities to take control of their own development.
  • Key Figure: John Friedmann.
  • Criticism: It may face resistance from established institutions and be difficult to implement on a large scale.

6. Sustainable Planning

  • Description: Sustainable planning integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations to create development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
  • Key Concepts: Sustainability, resilience, ecological balance.
  • Criticism: Balancing the three pillars of sustainability can be challenging, and trade-offs are often required.

7. New Urbanism

  • Description: New Urbanism advocates for the creation of walkable, mixed-use communities that reduce dependence on cars and foster a sense of community. It promotes traditional town planning principles such as human-scale development, diverse housing options, and public spaces.
  • Key Figures: Andrés Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk.
  • Criticism: It has been critiqued for sometimes leading to gentrification and not always being affordable.

These theories highlight the diversity of approaches to planning, reflecting different priorities, values, and understandings of how best to manage urban and regional development. Each theory has its strengths and weaknesses, and planners often draw on multiple theories to address the complex challenges they face.

References

Allmendinger, P. (2017). Planning theory. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Brooks, M. (2019). Planning theory for practitioners. Routledge.

Faludi, A. (Ed.). (2013). A reader in planning theory (Vol. 5). Elsevier.

Friedmann, J. (1998). Planning theory revisited. European Planning Studies, 6(3), 245-253.

Fainstein, S. S. (2005). Planning theory and the city. Journal of planning education and research, 25(2), 121-130.

Sharma, S. N. (2013). Participatory Planning in Practice. Lulu. com.

Sharma, S. N., & Abhishek, K. (2015). Planning Issue in Roorkee Town. Planning.