EndNote reference software; organize your research
I am a very organized person, but when I recently started work on my doctoral degree I found my organizational abilities taxed beyond their limit.
Most reference databases allow direct export to EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks and Reference Manager. I found that most, if not all, of these software packages have 30 day trial periods where you can use the software before purchasing it. I highly recommend this option. The programs are all similar, but they have differences. If you try them first, you may find one is more intuitive to use or has a feature you like that the other programs do not. All of these programs are capable of exporting the data you need, and in the appropriate format (such as APA).
I settled on EndNote because it was supported by the major databases I am using and it has one feature I especially liked: it has a field where I can enter up to 64K of my own research notes on the article. You are also able to organize research into sub-folders. These features will become invaluable as my reference database continues to grow. Now when I am writing, I just open up the EndNote link (placed on theWord toolbar) and with a few clicks the citiation and reference are both entered into the paper, in proper APA format! This is must-have software for any serious researcher.