The research toolkit collects links that help find and organize information. It comprises select library catalogues and portals, a range of referencing and knowledge management tools, digital collections, open access directories, and academic networking tools.

The library catalogues provide bibliographic data of print and online materials and point to the libraries that can make them accessible. In general, of course, only materials that do not require a subscription are available in their entirety through library catalogues and portals.

A small selection of free web tools for the management of data, references, and other information can aide your individual and collaborative research.

Library Catalogues and Portals

Berlin/Brandenburg Region
International
  • Karlsruhe Virtual Catalog KVK
    book search interface for books and serials in library and book trade catalogues worldwide
  • Worldcat
    union catalogue that itemizes the collections of libraries and territories that participate in the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) global cooperative
  • EZB Electronic Journals Library
    A service to facilitate the use of scholarly journals on the internet. It offers a fast, structured and unified interface to access full-text articles online.
  • GoogleScholar
    Web search engine that indexes the full text or metadata of scholarly literature across an array of publishing formats and disciplines.
  • ZDB Zeitschriftendatenbank
    shows the way to journals, newspapers, and databases in German and Austrian libraries.

Managing Information

  • BibMe
    Bibliography and citation creator
  • DOI Citation Formatter
    supports more than 5,000 different citation styles
  • Easybib
    bibliography and citation generator
  • JabRef
    open source bibliography reference manager
  • Zotero
    tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share research
  • DocEar
    pdf management, reference management, and mind mapping
  • Dropbox
    file sharing and storage
  • Evernote
    note taking, organizing, tasks lists, and archiving
  • FreeMind
    mindmapping application

Open Access

  • Open Humanities Press
    publisher with a focus on Critical and Cultural Theory – radically OA
  • OAPEN Library
    online library and publication platform. Freely accessible academic books, mainly in the area of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Paperity
    multidisciplinary aggregator of Open Access journals

Digital Collections and Platforms

Academic Networking

  • Academia.edu
    platform for academics to share research papers
  • LinkedIn
    professional network
  • Mendeley
    reference manager and academic social network