Adoption of Reference Management Software in academic writing among postgraduate medical professionals at the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine in Sri Lanka
Keywords:
Reference Management Software, academic writing, citation management, research efficiency, information literacyAbstract
This study examines the utilisation of Reference Management Software (RMS) among postgraduate medical professionals in Sri Lanka, with a focus on awareness, usage patterns, and its impact on academic writing. Proper citation is essential for maintaining research credibility and preventing plagiarism; however, many professionals struggle with citation management due to limited training and awareness of RMS. A Google Forms survey was administered to 116 postgraduate medical trainees who attended the library orientation programme at the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) Library in 2024. The findings indicate that Mendeley (99 respondents, 86.4%) is the most preferred RMS. Most participants (82, 70.7%) learned about RMS through the PGIM Library Orientation Programme, and registrars (49, 42.2%) were the most frequent users. A majority (101, 87.1%) considered RMS useful for citation management, reporting a mean score of 4.2 (±0.8). Nearly all respondents (110, 94.8%) believed proper citation improves research quality, while 87 (75.0%) reported significant time savings. Furthermore, 90 participants (77.6%) stated that RMS enhances the organisation of academic writing, although 9 (7.8%) remained neutral, suggesting variability in perceived benefits.Key advantages highlighted include error reduction (85, 73.3%), improved accuracy (78, 67.2%), and prevention of accidental citation omissions (93, 80.2%). While 56.0% found RMS helpful for systematic citation management, 35 (30.2%) struggled with identifying and correcting inconsistencies. Only 17 (14.7%) actively used reference-sharing features, indicating underutilisation of collaborative functions. Usability challenges were reported by 33 participants (28.4%), including difficulties citing specific sources, and many requested additional hands-on training. A lack of knowledge about advanced features was also noted. Additionally, 57 respondents (49.1%) reported that RMS improves traceability of information sources, and 49 (42.2%) found it useful for efficiently updating citations.Overall, the study demonstrates that RMS enhances academic writing efficiency but requires improved training and support. Expanding training programmes and addressing usability issues can promote adoption, strengthen research productivity, and uphold academic integrity
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