How to categorize and manage multiple cited references in Mendeley?

Mendeley enables systematic categorization of multiple references using folders and tags for efficient management. This approach facilitates organized literature review and seamless citation during writing. Key principles include establishing a clear hierarchical folder structure reflecting research themes or projects. Consistent tagging with descriptive keywords is crucial for cross-referencing and filtering. Leverage Mendeley's powerful search functionality and automatic metadata extraction to quickly find specific references. Crucially, maintain discipline in assigning references to folders and tags immediately upon import to prevent disorganization. Ensure automatic cloud synchronization is enabled for backup and multi-device access. Begin by importing references via direct export from databases or PDF drag-and-drop. Manually create folders and subfolders representing distinct research areas or chapters. Assign each reference to relevant folders. Then, apply multiple specific tags to each reference (e.g., "methodology-X," "author-Y," "review-needed"). Utilize the "My Publications" filter. Regularly use the combined search and tag/folder filter tools to retrieve related literature for specific writing tasks. Validate automatically extracted metadata for accuracy to maintain a reliable library for citation. This structured process significantly enhances research workflow efficiency.