Wikipedia:QuickRef
There are several tools for quickly referencing an article, this page outlines those that are currently available to all users.
RefToolbar[edit]
RefToolbar 1.0 and RefToolbar 2.0 are Javascript tools that will add a quickref interface to the editing page. RefToolBar can be added using your .js page.
An example of RefToolBar 2.0:
An example of RefToolbar 1.0:
ProveIt[edit]
ProveIt is a product originally developed at Georgia Tech. This is a fully featured GUI interface that is added to the editing page of an article. ProveIt is a gadget available to all logged in users, and can be added through Preferences -> Gadgets.
An example of ProveIt:
SnipManager[edit]
SnipManager is a Javascript toolbar addon for the editing page that has a number of functions, including a graphical interface for adding references. It can be added by editing your .js page.
An example of SnipManager:
QuickRef add-on?[edit]
The add-on I propose, which would be useful if enabled by default for all readers, is different from the existing gadgets in several respects. All of those above add an interface option to the editing page. By adding a prompt to the article (via pop-up from an "Add a reference" link and the "citation needed" tag), QuickRef would encourage passers-by to add references and make the process quick and painless. Improving the ease of use would benefit new editor attraction, current editor retention and have a significant long-term impact on the reference state of our articles.
For example:
When you click the link, a box will pop-up.
This tool doesn't exist yet, but hopefully someone smart will create it. Another version might include a section selector, so if you just put the "Add a reference" link at the end of the article or the beginning, it will pop up a first box that asks you which section, or which section and which paragraph, and then a second box that asks for the reference information.