1. Lexis and Westlaw Refresher 4/2010

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. Lexis Terms and Connectors

7. Fields – Westlaw Case law databases

8. Lexis – Segments for Case Law Databases

9. Order of Operations

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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)