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Computer Assisted Legal Research

Computer Assisted Legal Research. Week 2 Search Engines Google Westlaw . How to Search the Web. Typing URL (web address) in Address Bar of browser Some browsers (e.g. I.E. allow you to use the Address Bar to search Using a general search engine (i.e. Google, Bing, Yahoo)

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Computer Assisted Legal Research

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  1. Computer Assisted Legal Research Week 2 Search Engines Google Westlaw

  2. How to Search the Web • Typing URL (web address) in Address Bar of browser • Some browsers (e.g. I.E. allow you to use the Address Bar to search • Using a general search engine (i.e. Google, Bing, Yahoo) • Using legally specific portals (specially-designed Web page at a website which brings information together from diverse sources in a uniform way)

  3. Search Methods • Goal: Match your search words and phrases with words and phrases found in the database to be searched. • Search methods • Keyword (e.g. negligent) • Phrase (e.g. negligence per se) • Natural language (e.g. What is the definition of negligence?) • Boolean connectors (e.g. and, or, …) • Allow a search based on relationship of words (i.e. are the words in the same paragraph, same sentence, within 5 words of each other.) • Not all search engines use the same connectors • Not all search engines have the same “default” e.g. Negligence Intentional (and or or) As technology improves—we see better keyword/natural language search results—but Boolean is still more precise

  4. Boolean Searching/Terms and Connectors • Key words • Relationship of words • And • Or • Proximity to one another • Proximity Connectors • /s /p (or w/s) /n where n is the number of words separating the key words

  5. Proximity Connectors-- • /s /p (or w/s) /n where n is the number of words separating the key words

  6. Other common search techniques • Parenthesis “res ipsa loquitur” • Exact phrase • Wildcard (*) • Wom*n; • Root Extender (!) • Neglig!

  7. HYPOTHETICAL For our purposes let’s assume you want to retrieve all cases in a database that address Jones held a St. Patrick’s Day party at his house and invited several friends. One of his friends, Tom, drank too much green beer before leaving the party. Unfortunately he drove. On his way home, Tom hit another vehicle injuring the driver. Even more unfortunate—Tom had no auto insurance. Victim wants to sue Jones. Remember: you want to construct a search that would match the way a court might discuss similar cases.

  8. Constructing a Boolean Search • Terms: • Connectors: • Put them together:

  9. Popular Search Engines • Google • Yahoo! • Bing • Justia.com • USA.gov

  10. Google Searching • Unique search connectors • https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/136861 • https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/136861?p=adv_operators&hl=en

  11. Searching on Bing • http://www.howtogeek.com/106751/how-to-use-bings-advanced-search-operators-8-tips-for-better-searches/

  12. Google Basics • Basic search strategies • Default connector is “and” (no need to type) • Not case sensitive • Excludes “noise” words unless in quotes • Instant returns (suggestions) • Search methods • Search return • I’m Feeling Lucky • Advanced search (http://www.google.com/advanced_search) • Or after a basic search—click on gear

  13. Advanced Search--Gear

  14. Let’s take a look • Home page • Advanced search • Apps

  15. Important Google Apps • Scholar • Patents • Images • File Types • Groups • Alerts

  16. Keeping Up to date • http://www.netforlawyers.com/category/topics/google • Or • http://linkon.in/waPq9r

  17. Definitions and Synonyms • Define: [word] • Synonyms: (tilde) ˜ (alt 0152 on Word) • ˜negligent: failing to take proper care in doing something. "directors have been negligent in the performance of their duties" synonyms: neglectful, remiss, careless, lax, irresponsible, inattentive, heedless, thoughtless, unmindful, forgetful;

  18. Google Scholar • Case law v. patents • Case law: • Police use of deadly force • Limit by jurisdiction • Alerts • Save to My Library • 471 US 1, 105 S. Ct. 1694, 85 L. Ed. 2d 1 • 128 F. 3d 1283 (Calderon) • Try on Scholar and Google • Advanced Search (down arrow in search box)

  19. Google--Patents • Use Patent app in “More” on Google • Patent Number • Title • Original Assignee • Restrict by filing date.

  20. Westlaw Next • Westlawnext.com • WestlawNext v. Westlaw Classic • Finding cases by name or by citation • Select jurisdiction (i.e. California, Federal) • Select Cases • Select Advanced search

  21. Westlaw Classic • “Find and Print”

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