NECTAR is able to store and display a large amount of information about your research. Data entry is however complex, because the information required for say, a book, is quite different from that required for a journal article, an exhibition or a patent. For this reason, we have defined a number of 'item types' and used different fields to describe them. The item types are listed below and the fields are displayed automatically when they are selected in NECTAR.
| Article | An article, abstract, letter or review in a journal, magazine or newspaper |
| Book | An authored or edited book or conference volume |
| Book section | A chapter or section in a book |
| Monograph | A monograph, for example a discussion paper, manual, project report, research report, technical report or working paper |
| Conference or Workshop Item | An unpublished paper, poster, speech, lecture or presentation given at a conference, workshop or other event |
| Conference Proceedings | An individual conference item subsequently published in a set of conference proceedings |
| Thesis | A thesis or dissertation |
| Patent | A published patent |
| Artefact | An artist's artefact or work product |
| Show/Exhibition | An artist's exhibition or site specific deposit |
| Composition | A musical composition. Use this to deposit scores. Record details of performances of work as type 'Performance' |
| Performance | Performance of a theatrical or musical event |
| Image | A digital photograph or visual image |
| Video | A digital video |
| Audio | A sound recording |
| Map | A map |
| Honorary role | Editorship, visiting fellowship, officer of scholarly association etc. |
| Other | Something within the scope of NECTAR, but not covered by the other categories |