How to Audit Zotero References Before Submission

Where a Zotero export fits in reference quality control

Zotero helps organize and cite library records. A pre-submission audit asks a different question: do the imported metadata fields point to the scholarly work the manuscript intends to cite? A record can be formatted correctly and still have a wrong year, a DOI belonging to another paper, or incomplete publication details.

CiteWise currently works from an exported file that you upload to its batch workspace. It is not a Zotero plugin, does not connect to your Zotero account, and does not sync or modify your library automatically.

Export the records you want to review

In Zotero, select the collection or items for the manuscript and use its export command. Choose a supported format available in your Zotero installation, such as RIS, BibTeX, or CSL JSON. Export only the records in scope when you want a focused audit; a whole-library export can create extra review work.

Keep your original Zotero library unchanged while auditing. The uploaded source file is processed for import and is not retained as an original file. The resulting batch records and review decisions are available in your CiteWise workspace.

• Use RIS for a widely supported tagged-record exchange format.
• Use BibTeX for LaTeX-based workflows.
• Use CSL JSON when your workflow already uses CSL metadata.
• Check the import preview for record count, missing fields, and parser warnings before starting verification.

Separate import quality from scholarly identity

A successful import only means the file could be read into records; it does not mean those records identify the right works. First inspect parsing confidence and missing or malformed fields. Then review the batch audit for provider-backed identity evidence, DOI conflicts, candidate matches, and risk levels.

When metadata is incomplete or sources disagree, treat the result as a review queue rather than an automatic verdict. Preserve the original reference and record a human decision separately from the system risk assessment.

Export a reviewable audit

After the batch completes, export a standalone HTML report for people who need to read the audit, or CSV/JSON for spreadsheet and downstream data workflows. The report reflects the completed job; exporting does not re-run verification. CiteWise does not directly generate PDF, but the HTML report can be printed or saved as PDF in a browser.

Before submission, resolve high-risk and ambiguous items against the publisher or source record. An identity match cannot determine whether a cited study supports a manuscript claim or whether the research itself is sound.