Lexis and Westlaw Refresher 4/2010

Steps for Searching 1. Pull out key terms and think of synonyms 2. Construct a Broad Search 3. Narrow using Focus or Locate

Ways to Narrow a Search Make terms closer together add more terms atleast command use segments Key numbers or headnotes Narrow to most authoritative court Remove synonyms

Differences in Lexis/WL Search language LexisNexis & Westlaw Features Compared Lexis assumes a phrase, Westlaw assumes "or". statute of limitations Lexis, looks for the phrase Westlaw will look for: statute or of or limitations. Must put in quotes, "statute of limitations“ on Westlaw

Terms and Connectors Westlaw shown here, Lexis same except and not, instead of but not. No +s,+p in Lexis

Lexis Terms and Connectors

Fields – Westlaw Case law databases

Lexis – Segments for Case Law Databases

Order of Operations

Order of Operations Example waiv! or release! and negligen! and sport! or recreation! /p know! /s hazard or danger or similar or prior or previous /5 accident

Order of Operations Example, cont’d reads as (waiv! or release!) and negligen! and (sport! or recreation!) /p know! /s (hazard or danger or similar or prior or previous) /5 accident

Order of Operations Example, cont’d must insert parenthesis: waiv! or release! and negligen! and sport! or recreation! /p (know! /s hazard or danger) or (similar or prior or previous /5 accident)