This week, you will write a paper explaining what scholarly writing is and why you would use a reference management system. First, you will compare and contrast the features of Endnote, Zotero, RefWorks, and Mendeley (this can be completed in a graph or table format). Then provide an explanation as to which reference management system you choose and why? Generate text that will require 5 in-text citations. These can be on any topic that would necessitate a citation. You will utilize a reference management software package to generate your in-text citations and reference list. You may have the citations anywhere in your document. You may also simply put five randomly cited sentences at the end if you cannot fit them within the context of the document. Length:4 pages
References: A minimum of 5 peer-reviewed journals/articles.
Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards. Side note: my professional background: *I am a Franchise Business owner of a Tutoring Company *I am in the process of finishing my book that will be published in a couple of months ** Currently a Forbes Council Member and Forbes publishes my articles on a monthly basis on topics on business and education that I write about * Married with two small kids * a Board member for various organizations * looking to have my get my Doctoral degree to help my goals with my Business/Motivational Speaker business that I plan on launching in a couple of years and the doctoral degree will allow me to charge more for my consultation services
Bus7102-Wk5: Explain Scholarly Writing and Reference Management Systems
Scholarly writing includes careful and extensive engagement with past research with adequate citation of sources and presentation of a reference list or bibliography. Scholarly writing uses proper citation systems to ensure accurate referencing, storage, and retrieval. A reference management system helps in organizing, storing, and retrieving information, especially in scholarly writing. The system helps in creating citations for journal articles, books, and websites. In scholarly writing, the system supports proper citations, such as footnotes, and develop a reference list of bibliography. Examples of reference management systems include Endnote, Zotero, RefWorks, and Mendeley. The table below presents a comparison of the four systems.
Feature | Endnote | RefWorks | Zotero | Mendeley |
Type | Desktop software with a free web interface | Web interface | Desktop software and browser add-on. | Not primarily web-based, but can sync with an editable online account |
Cost | EndNote Basic is free.
Discounted version ($95.00) through the UIC Webstore.
|
Free | Free with 300 MB of storage. | Free for basic account. |
Learning curve | Needs training, takes time to learn | Simple design, quick to learn | Simple design, quick to learn | Easy to learn |
How it works | Export references from databases | Export references from databases | Detects bibliographic information on the web. | Import from databases |
Imported records | Traditional information, such as books and articles | Traditional information, such as books and articles | Traditional information, such as books and articles | Traditional information, such as books and articles |
Compatibility with word processor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Link to vendor support/documentation | Endnote Support | RefWorks Support | Zotero Support | Mendeley Support |
The most effective reference management system is Mendeley since it is easier to learn and use. Furthermore, it is compatible with work processing software and work with traditional sources, such as books and articles.
Essay: Technology in Business During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions in many aspects of life, especially in business due to social distancing policies to control its spreading. The pandemic has changed how people do business and work since they have to keep the necessary social distance to prevent the major spreading of the highly contagious new coronavirus. Compared to other recent pandemics, such as H1N1 and H5N1, the new strain or coronavirus has the worst effect due to its extensive rate of infection. For example, only a few months after it was identified for the first time in China towards the end of 2019, the pandemic spread fast across the world. As a result, governments around the world implemented the strict measures, to prevent controlled infections(Nicola, et al., 2020). The measures have caused major challenges to businesses since customers and employees had to remain at home for the fear of infection or compliance with government measures.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created immense challenges and changed the normal business operations, forcing companies to adapt or fail. The crisis has caused some business to fail, such as department stores, which failed to adapt to the changing environment. The World Economic Forum report indicated that brick-and-mortar stores declined by 60% since the start of 2020, while e-commerce was anticipated to increase by 20% by the end of the year. The trend might continue in the future as the pandemic continues to affect the world (Prem, et al., 2020). The statistics indicated that the pandemic completely altered how consumers interacted with businesses and how marketers met their needs. Many customers currently avoid physical stores, but choose to shop online and have their goods delivered to their doorsteps. Businesses had to improve the platforms that met the needs of the new type of customer that remains at home or in the office and expect their goods to be delivered conveniently. Thus, companies intending to succeed in business had to invest in e-commerce platforms and change their approach to meeting customer needs.
The COVID-19 has caused new challenges for businesses locally and internationally. Consequently, managers have to alter their business models and processes in attempts to solve the problem affecting their business. The pandemic has also changed the direction that many companies have been following to comply with government policies and support efforts to control the pandemic (Silva, et al., 2020). One of the solutions that business professionals have adopted is the use of technology to continue providing their services and serving their customers without risking their lives. Many customers have been avoiding physical stores to remain safe from the virus or to comply with social distancing measures. As a result, the use of e-commerce has increased considerably since the COVID-19 outbreak, a trend that remains evident globally. The world has experienced an unprecedented growth in the use of technology in business to remain competitive and productive. In fact, technology is a source of competitive advantage and a critical success factor during the pandemic period.
Significant investment in new technologies remains a remarkable solution in overcoming the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to businesses. Firms that have operated online since the outbreak have reported an increase in sales and profits, while physical stores have been closing their operations (Wiederhold, 2020). Digital platforms have helped marketers to promote and sell their products with minimal physical contact. Managers decided in a haste to invest in technologies and skills that would help them to reach their customers easily and conveniently, such as social media, apps, and powerful websites (Comfort, et al., 2020). Although businesses have already been using technology, they have increased the level of investment and introduced new models to increase their customer reach. After all, companies had to remain resilient to overcome the economic problems that the pandemic presents. They work with strong information technology partners to change their model and improve customer service. Many have reduced employees in favor of automated systems for most operations during the pandemic period.
Customer service through e-commerce platforms is a major trend nationality and internationally since the COVID-19 pandemic. Managers and other employees conduct various business actions, such as promoting products and services, receiving and responding to customer queries, and receiving and processing orders, through online platforms. Prevailing evidence indicate an increase in the acceptance and use of technology since the outbreak and implementation of social distancing policies to prevent the spreading. Successful use of e-commerce platforms has improved financial performance during the uncertain times internationally. Many have retained and attracted new customers through effective use of technology to overcome challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The effect of the pandemic continues since professionals have not found a foolproof solution. Thus, business require individual with DBA or professional graduates to support the current and new solutions to the ongoing business problem locally and internationally. Professionals need to collaborate and research other more effective ways of fixing the problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
References
Comfort, L.K., Kapucu, N., Ko, K., Menoni, S., & Siciliano, M. (2020). Crisis Decision Making on a Global Scale: Transition from Cognition to Collective Action under Threat of COVID‐19. Public Administration Review, 80(4), 616–622.
Nicola, M., Alsafi, Z., Sohrabi, C., Kerwan, A., Al-Jabir, A., Iosifidis, C., … & Agha, R. (2020). The socio-economic implications of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). A Review. International Journal of Surgery (London, England), 78, 185.
Prem, K., Liu, Y., Russell, T.W., Kucharski, A.J., Eggo, R.M., Davies, N., … & Abbott, S. (2020). The effect of control strategies to reduce social mixing on outcomes of the COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan, China: a modelling study. The Lancet Public Health.
Silva, P.C., Batista, P.V., Lima, H.S., Alves, M.A., Guimarães, F.G. & Silva, R. C. (2020). COVID-ABS: An agent-based model of COVID-19 epidemic to simulate health and economic effects of social distancing interventions. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, 139(110088).
Wiederhold, B. K. (2020). Connecting through technology during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Avoiding “Zoom Fatigue,” 23(7), 437–438.