For the sole user, undertaking idiosyncratic and unstructured forms of research, Research Toolbox is slightly too structured and complex. Its assumptions are that the user is a professional researcher in an academic environment. The manual reflects this, quoting examples of academic research and the lessons to be learnt from such experiences. The software is likewise organised to reflect this. Where Research Toolbox has the potential to be a valuable asset for the lone user is in its ability to organise disparate literature and other sources into databases, including the ability to import non-text sources, including graphics and sound files.
References can have extensive annotations and comments.
The article writer has the potential to be useful, but as it basically functions by grabbing text from a database and importing it to a Word document, substantially re-writing and editing would still be required. A 'Research Toolbox Lite' package would probably be preferable for a single user working independently from an academic environment. It would include the main features of the present package, but in a less complex structure. Otherwise, a potentially helpful tool. For those working in areas that demand a highly structured research proposal and a highly methodical and formalised methodology, those in the sciences perhaps, this may be a good piece of software.