Electronic Legal Research : An Integrated Approach

by Delaney, Stephanie

• ISBN13: 9781418080884
• ISBN10: 1418080888
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-07-11
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

Electronic Legal Research: An Integrated Approach, second edition, is dedicated to fully explaining the rationale of legal research, guiding readers through the individual steps necessary to develop their own research strategies. Through exploration into the topic of legal database searching with substance and depth Electronic Legal Research facilitates long-term learning. Since new products are introduced every day and the market leaders constantly change, this text takes the approach of one set of skills, Boolean searching. This approach will enable the beginning researcher to do research in nearly any electronic database, specifically training students to research paid legal databases and the Internet. Electronic Legal Research: An Integrated Approach, second edition, is based on the concept of critical thinking allowing for intelligent decisions about how to find information through effective resource selection and query construction. Rather than a traditional how-to book, Electronic Legal Research: An Integrated Approach truly facilitates learning by presenting up to date information and challenging exercises that focus on critical thinking skills and practical skill implementation. This practical approach is a useful research guide for both students and working professionals, in both paralegal and attorney roles.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
About the Author	p. xvii
Acknowledgments	p. xix
For the Student	p. xxi
How to Search	p. 1
Basic Electronic Searching	p. 3
Electronic Legal Research	p. 4
Overview of Boolean Searching	p. 4
Basic Boolean Operators	p. 4
Other Useful Operators	p. 7
Query Formation Strategy	p. 15
Introduction to Queries	p. 16
A Query Formation Strategy	p. 17
Query Troubleshooting	p. 24
Paid Legal Databases	p. 35
Introduction	p. 36
Westlaw	p. 36
Lexis	p. 37
Other Paid Legal Databases	p. 39
Beginning Your Research	p. 43
Internet Legal Research	p. 54
Welcome to the Internet	p. 55
Where to Look for Information	p. 55
How to Look for Information	p. 62
Your Internet Toolbox	p. 65
How to Determine the Credibility and Usefulness of What You Find	p. 66
Free Versus Paid	p. 71
What to Search for	p. 79
Finding and Understanding Statutes	p. 81
Review of Statutory Law	p. 82
Statute Search Strategies	p. 83
Statutory Interpretation	p. 94
Finding and Understanding Regulations	p. 103
Review of Administrative Agencies	p. 104
Regulation Search Strategy	p. 104
Regulatory Guidance Search Strategy	p. 110
Finding Cases	p. 123
Review of Case Law	p. 124
Case Law Search Strategy	p. 124
Finding Secondary Sources	p. 143
Introduction	p. 144
Dictionaries and Encyclopedias	p. 145
Law Review Articles	p. 147
Practice Books, Hornbooks, Restatements, and Other Explanatory Material	p. 150
Legal and Other News	p. 152
Researcher's Guide to the U.S. Government	p. 165
Legislative History	p. 167
Regulatory Guidance and Rule Tracking	p. 175
25 Tips to Improve Your Internet Research Skills	p. 179
Glossary	p. 189
Index	p. 193
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