Several research tutorials are available here to help you use the library’s resources to your best advantage.
Access our on-demand legal research video tutorials for your Legal Writing class, your paper classes, or for a refresher at your job.
These seven to 15 minute tutorials cover many aspects of legal research: From how to formulate an initial research plan, and how to use secondary sources, to how to see if your case is still good law. They’re designed to give just what you need when you need it.
Step One: The Research Plan
Every research project first necessitates the creation of a carefully crafted plan. This mini-class explains the makeup of such a plan. View the Video
Using Secondary Sources
If you are not well versed in an area you’re asked to research, you should first consult secondary sources that explain your area of law. This video explains the different types of secondary sources and shows you how to use them in both print and online formats. View the Video
Using Case Law Digests
A digest provides the only means by which one can conduct systematic, subject specific case law research. Watch this mini-class to learn how to do so in both print and online formats. View the Video
Citator Services
You need to verify that the primary law you’re about to rely on is still good law. Learn how to do this in Westlaw and LexisNexis by watching this mini-class video. View the Video
Deciphering Legal Abbreviations/Citation Basics
Are you unsure where to start in the ALWD manual? Watch this video for a quick breakdown of the manual. View the Video
Statutes and Codes
Much of our law is in the form of legislative codes. Learn where to find the law before it is codified, where to find the code sets, and how to take advantage of the case law summaries in the annotated code sets. View the Video
