How can I manage my research notes and literature in Zotero?

Zotero enables efficient organization and annotation of research literature and associated notes within a single platform. Its core functionality supports capturing bibliographic metadata, storing full-text PDFs, and linking personal annotations directly to sources. Key capabilities involve using collections for topic-based grouping, tags for cross-cutting themes, and the notes feature for structured summaries or analysis; integration with word processors ensures seamless citation during writing. Crucially, automatic metadata retrieval, cloud synchronization via Zotero account, and attachment organization are essential for reliability. Effective implementation involves importing references via the browser connector or identifiers, then creating hierarchical collections mirroring project structure. Add notes directly to each item using the right-hand pane, utilizing bold/italic formatting or child note items for detailed breakdowns. Sync across devices via a Zotero account for access anywhere; regularly utilize "Create Bibliography" to generate citations and utilize duplicate detection for data hygiene. Annotate PDFs within Zotero or sync annotations from external tools via Zotfile.