|
The Bibliography Converter converts formatted bibliographies to Ibidem format and adds those new records to your Ibidem database. It is not part of the Nota Bene Workstation but is available at extra cost as as part of Archiva+ add-on module. For a video demonstration of the Bibliography Converter, see www.notabene.com/videos.html
To use the bibliography converter, you must have an electronic copy of a bibliography that is formatted in a supported academic style. The styles that are supported include: Chicago Bibliography, Chicago Reference List, Turabian Bibliography, Turabian Reference List, MLA Bibliography. If you have a bibliography that is formatted in a different style, it may convert properly if the style is close to one of these styles.
To convert a formatted bibliography:
| 1 | Convert the bibliography to Nota Bene format. This can be done by copying and pasting into a Nota Bene file, or by opening a Word file in Nota Bene. |
| 2 | Select (highlight) the bibliography or a portion of the bibliography. |
| • | About 32,000 characters can be processed at a time (roughly 8-10 pages). Longer bibliographies must be converted in parts. |
| • | You may find it convenient to convert a long bibliography in parts even if it is shorter than this limit. |
| 3 | Click Tools, Archiva, Convert Bibliographies. The Format of Selected Bibliography dialog will open. |
| 4 | Click on the format that most closely matches the bibliography that you are converting. |
| 5 | You can globally add text to specified fields by typing the desired text in the "Option: Enter Text to Add" frame at the bottom half of the dialog and selecting the desired options. The text will be added to the specified field for each record. If you specify that text should be appended to any existing data in the field (rather than replacing any existing data), then the text you specify will be added with a semicolon and a space separating it from existing data. If you prefer to use different punctuation as a separator, you can type it in at the beginning of the text. |
| Example: If you are converting your professor's reading list on Milton, you might want to add "Professor Smith's selection of secondary works on Milton" to the AN (annotation) field, and/or add "Milton" to the KW (keyword) field. |
| 7 | Click Yes when asked if you want to view results. You can also view captured records by clicking Tools, Archiva, View Converted Records. |
| 8 | Results are presented in a temporary Ibidem database. You can edit the records and/or add them to your permanent Ibidem database. |
| 9 | Check the records that you would like to add to your database and use the bar at the bottom left of the screen to specify which records you would like to add (current record, checked record, etc.) and which database should receive the record(s). Click the first button to the right to add the record (s) or the second one to check each record for duplicates before adding. |
Tips for converting bibliographies:
| • | The bibliography must be regular text—not part of a table, footnote, frame, etc. |
| • | Accurate conversion depends on the bibliography being in canonical form (i.e., years in correct place, surrounded by proper punctuation, etc.), since the conversion takes its cues from formatting (especially mode changes and punctuation), not from content. |
| • | The completeness and/or usefullness of the conversion depends on the style. |
| • | Reference list styles often have only author's initials (NB cannot get their full names) |
| • | Some styles capitalize every word in the titles (NB wants only significant words capitalized) |
| • | Because of issues like those above, when you have a choice as to which format you want to convert (for example, this is coming from an on-line database that can write the output in different formats), you should choose one that: |
| • | Has full names of authors and editors or other contributors |
| • | Does not capitalize all words in the title (so that NB can capitalize the required words in the output, as required by a new style) |
| • | After conversion, you may need to edit various fields (for the kinds of issues noted above, for example) |
| • | The full text of the citation being parsed will be saved to the @I (On-Line Unconverted Info) field; this enables you to compare the original with what was produced by the conversion, and make any necessary corrections and/or additions. |
| • | If the bibliography to be converted is in a style other than those currently supported, you can choose another style that is close to the style of the bibliography, and the results may very well be useful, even if not perfect. In any case, there is no harm in trying, since you can always remove the results from the temporary Archiva database. |
See also:
Archiva Overview
ISBN Converter
|