L AW L IBRARY · U NIVERSITY of C ALIFORNIA · I RVINE R ESEARCH S TRATEGY Analysis, planning, guidance Spring 2012
L AW L IBRARY · U NIVERSITY of C ALIFORNIA · I RVINE Agenda Research strategy Legal research guides In-class practice
L AW L IBRARY · U NIVERSITY of C ALIFORNIA · I RVINE Strategy Don’t: jump right into the first source that comes to mind Do: come up with a plan Project analysis first (jurisdiction, turnaround time, etc.) Resource analysis next Do: keep a log Even if you find nothing useful, you’ll have a record of the time you spent.
L AW L IBRARY · U NIVERSITY of C ALIFORNIA · I RVINE Starting points Ask questions, understand key terms & concepts Evaluation & Planning Secondary Sources Primary Sources Update!Analysis
L AW L IBRARY · U NIVERSITY of C ALIFORNIA · I RVINE Online legal research guides Authors: librarians at law schools, government agencies, etc. Structure: varies, usu. citations to important primary & secondary Focus: varies Features: vary Research Guide Finder
L AW L IBRARY · U NIVERSITY of C ALIFORNIA · I RVINE Evaluating research guides [T]imeliness – last update? [E]ase of use [A]ccuracy & Authority [C]omprehensiveness [H]andiness
L AW L IBRARY · U NIVERSITY of C ALIFORNIA · I RVINE
Sample Research Guides Duke Law Library, “Intellectual Property” University of Minnesota Law Library, “Intellectual Property Research”