R 10 Tips for Research Success esearcher’s Digest Knowing When to Stop: Reaching the End of the Research Trail R esearcher’s Digest 10 Tips for Research Success Joel Ngugi Expands Contracts PLUS! Librarians: The Legal Researcher’s Best Friends Save Time! Formbooks & Sample Clauses
Overview Research strategy Legal research guides Print & online resources The end of the rainbow
The Rombauer Method Preliminary analysis Search for statutes Search for mandatory precedent Search for persuasive precedent Refine, double-check & update
Preliminary Analysis Assess what you know Consult secondary sources Determine the jurisdiction Develop a list of keywords & phrases Focus on the research goal
Secondary Sources Sources that Analyze Describe Discuss Review Summarize
The Three Bears Approach Baby Bear Nutshells Study aids Mama Bear Hornbooks Encyclopedias Papa Bear Multi-volume treatises
Finding Secondary Sources Consult a legal research guide Drafting Contracts Search the library catalog Current editions in Reference Area “contracts and hornbook” Ask a reference librarian Email 543-6794
Legal Research Strategy The Rombauer Method Preliminary analysis Search for statutes Search for mandatory precedent Search for persuasive precedent Refine, double-check & update
Finding Statutes Citations from secondary sources Indexes Tables of contents Online searches Terms & connectors (full-text searching) Natural language
Click on link to read statute Click on + to expand topic
Click on + to expand topic Click in box(es) to search selected titles
Finding Statutes . . . Or Not 22 10 23 32
Running Past Precedent Citations in secondary sources & annotated codes LexisNexis & Westlaw searches
Last Steps Refine Double-check Update Other search terms, secondary sources Double-check Same answer found in more than one source Update Currentness of statutes Validity of caselaw
Sources on Contracts Drafting Contracts: Formbooks & Drafting Resources Catalog search: “contracts and forms”
When to Say When Find the answer Cost exceeds benefit Same answer in multiple sources Time’s up
10 Tips for Research Success Start with a research plan Determine the jurisdiction Consult secondary sources Review a research guide Take notes
10 Tips for Research Success Identify statutes (or rule them out) Use indexes & TOCs Update statutes & cases Know when to stop Consult your friendly reference librarian
R 10 Tips for Research Success esearcher’s Digest Knowing When to Stop: Reaching the End of the Research Trail R esearcher’s Digest 10 Tips for Research Success Joel Ngugi Expands Contracts PLUS! Librarians: The Legal Researcher’s Best Friends Save Time! Formbooks & Sample Clauses