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Introduction to Online Legal Research  (Westlaw and Lexis)
Professor Callister




Session: Fall - Spring
Working with databases with tables of contents.Using clip and alert services to stay current.Keeping track of your searches.Practice problems for the Fall Session of Westlaw and Lexis instruction.
Segment and restricted field searching.Natural language search on both Lexis and Westlaw.How to find similar documents using Lexis "More Like This" searching.How to searcher for similar cases using West Key Numbers.How to check status with Shepards and KeyCite.

Segment & Field Problems

 
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The following problems will be done in the instructional session with a librarian. Please skip for until your class session.

Problem 1:

You have heard that Professor Rotunda has written an article on the confirmation process for judges.  See if you can easily locate the article using  field (or segment) searching.  Try the same search again without using fields (or segments). To sign onto Westlaw click here.  To sign onto Lexis click here.  If you get stuck, use hints.

Problem 2:

You need to locate all of the key cases in the federal courts concerning copyright and libraries.  You are particularly interested in public, school and college libraries.  You do not want cases dealing with the Library of Congress.  
First, try the search without using fields (or segments).  Then use segment or field-restricted searching.  To sign onto Westlaw click here.  To sign onto Lexis click here

Problem 3:

You need law review and journal articles on the Indian Child Welfare Act
.  In this instance, which service is more practical to use?  Westlaw or Lexis? 
To sign onto Westlaw click here.  To sign onto Lexis click here

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