Advanced Legal Research for Seminar Papers Michelle Trumbo Reference & Outreach Services Librarian mtrumbo2@gmu.edu

Scholarly Writing States an original thesis not merely opinion Cites the most relevant and authoritative scholarly literature and primary authority Supports arguments by analyzing the applicable literature and primary sources explain, discuss, concur, distinguish, dispute, synthesize . . . . Key aspects of scholarly writing….helpful to keep in mind as you develop potential topics to write about.

Overview Research Guides Other Law-Related Databases HeinOnline [link] Bloomberg Law [link] GMU Database Portal Library Catalog & inPrimo E-Journal Finder Google Scholar

The Actress and the Embryos Sophia Vergara & Nick Loeb litigation. Fall in love > freeze embryos together > break-up > PROBLEMS develop She wants to keep them frozen indefinitely He wants the right to have them implanted in a surrogate so that he can have children It’s a mess Litigation ensues Something about the influence of medical/scientific advances in the field of fertility treatment and its impact on traditional family law (custodial) issues….embryonic rights?

A good great place to start…

Advanced Legal Research for Seminar Papers Research Guides

Research Guides Help you identify good sources—especially current awareness sources—in your area of interest: GMU Guides Internet search: legal research guide <insert subject> (LMGTFY) Georgetown Legal Research Guides

www.law.gmu.edu/library

Give example of guide

Law-Related Databases Advanced Legal Research for Seminar Papers Law-Related Databases

www.law.gmu.edu/library

Popular Online Resources Academic Search Complete Bloomberg Law Business Source Complete EconLit Google Scholar HeinOnline Indexes (Index to Legal Periodicals & Books; IFLP) inPrimo JSTOR ProQuest (Congressional, Legislative Insight, Research Library) (beyond Westlaw & Lexis Advance)

Law-Related Databases link from library homepage: “Find Books, Articles, & Databases” use shortcut for popular resources or browse alphabetical list always use these links (except for BLAW, WL, & LA) to access resources so you connect through the GMU proxy server

HeinOnline Multiple search options Impact indicators Diverse Content Boolean operators must be in Caps (AND, OR) Search specific libraries or across all libraries Impact indicators Law Journal Library provides “cited by” link Sort results by number of times cited Diverse Content More than 50 topical collections Includes government documents, historical, and secondary materials

HeinOnline: Advanced Search DEMO: embryo AND “parental rights” (text search)

HeinOnline: Results Cited by and Accessed – get you directly into other articles relevant to your topic and an “at-a-glance” indication of the influence/impact a particular article has had. Default sort is Relevance. You can re-sort by date, title, most cited author, etc. Post-search filtering on left. Geography, date range, and other options.

Bloomberg Law: Practice Centers

Bloomberg Law: Practice Centers

Books & Treatises > More > keyword search: frozen embryo

Bloomberg Law: BNA Law Reports Healthcare > Health Law Reporter > Search Report, Keywords: embryo; filter by: past year > 2 results

Advanced Legal Research for Seminar Papers GMU Database Portal

GMU Database Portal Search alphabetically or by subject area. E.g., Health Sciences

Cross-references related categories of databases that may be helpful. Most useful databases (as determined by subject specialists) in the category appear first, followed by other relevant resources.

LibrarY CatalOG & inPrimo Advanced Legal Research for Seminar Papers LibrarY CatalOG & inPrimo

Catalog & inPrimo The Library catalog searches for books in our library. You cannot conduct thorough research for a paper without reviewing available print materials to see whether a book has been written on your topic. inPrimo Searches our catalog and much more, including articles, news, the internet, other libraries’ catalog. Offers unique results. Worth the time to search.

inPrimo Library Catalog articles databases news digital collections inPrimo = discovery tool

Catalog & inPrimo

inPrimo E.g., search inPrimo for embryo AND law > filter to Library: Law Post-search filters # of Results Online Access

Finding the location of print material in the catalog e.g., The law and ethics of medicine : essays on the inviolability of human life > Locations tab > Law Library – 3rd Floor, note call #

Catalog:Tips Remember the library catalog isn’t Google No auto-spell correct or “do you mean” Only searching words that are contained in the catalog record, not a full-text search Use subject and call number searches in addition to keyword searching Find subject headings from known items Browse call numbers to find related items

Catalog: Item Record

Catalog: Subject Browse

Advanced Legal Research for Seminar Papers E-Journal Finder

E-Journal Finder If you know the journal title, use that to search. The E-Journal Finder will allow you to link through to an electronic version of the journal. Then, browse to find your article.

Advanced Legal Research for Seminar Papers Google Scholar

Google Scholar Searches scholarly literature in multiple disciplines, and court opinions Explore related works, citations, authors, and publications Advanced search Accessible after entering search from drop down menu Can link to GMU library resources Settings >Library Links > search for: George Mason (2, choose both)

Google Scholar

Advanced Legal Research for Seminar Papers Wrap-up

Effective Academic Research Use a variety of resources Each database has unique data, algorithms, and rankings Search for both print and digital information Develop strong keywords Learn from each source you find to expand terms and find “terms of art” Use several search strategies Keyword, subject, links to cited/citing sources, call numbers (in catalog) Be VERY CLEAR on your professor’s expectations

Helpful Books on Reserve Elizabeth Fajans. Scholarly Writing for Law Students: Seminar Papers, Law Review Notes, and Law Review Competition Papers.   Law Library – RESERVE KF250.F35 2011 Eugene Volokh, Academic Legal Writing: Law Review Articles, Student Notes, and Seminar Papers, and Getting on Law Review. (5th edition) Law Library - RESERVE KF250 .V65 2016 **Older editions of both texts are on the 3rd floor.**

We’re here to help! Reference Hours No appointment req’d In person, by email, or on the telephone No appointment req’d Check staff directory on law library homepage for contact information Reference Hours M-Th: 9 am to 9 pm Fri: 9 am to 5 pm Sun: 2 pm to 9 pm The reference librarians have extensive experience in legal, business, and general research.  Most of us have a J.D. and a Masters in Library Science.  Please call (703-993-8076), email an individual librarian, or stop by with questions (First Floor Library, Room 141). We can save you a lot of time.