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Legal Research Basics

An introductory overview of the legal research process and legal research resources

Guide Scope

This Guide presents the basic concepts of legal research methods. Review the pages and you will gain, along with other useful information:

   A “best practices” checklist to use when starting your research.

   Step by step instructions to find the Westlaw and Lexis materials that show their methods for research.

   Specific examples of primary and secondary sources, where to find them, and how to identify the different elements presented in those sources.

   An introduction to using West's Florida Digest.

   Detailed instructions on how to Shepardize and KeyCite your sources.

General Considerations

Some preliminary considerations:

Organization of materials within the library

Pics, info, and location of the "most used" books used in research

Print vs. Online searching

Research help and support

Books on Legal Research

For more in-depth illustrations on how to conduct legal research, it is recommended that you browse at least one book other than your textbook. The following informative books are suggested. The latest editions are available on reserve at the circulation desk.

There are many other books on the subject in the library collection. Use the catalog to search for "Legal Research United States" as the subject heading (or use the link in the box on the right).

Check out the books listed and see which one best matches your study style.

Guides from other Institutions