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The Ross-Blakley Law Library Presents. Research Strategies & Survival Tips. Increase your Chances of Survival!. Get as many details about the project as possible Ask questions Listen carefully Take notes Repeat the assignment Find out the deadline & desired final product
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Increase your Chances of Survival! • Get as many details about the project as possible • Ask questions • Listen carefully • Take notes • Repeat the assignment • Find out the deadline & desired final product • Ask about resources to use
It’s better to ask questions at the start of an assignment than close to the deadline. • Deadlines are set for a reason. Don’t put things off. • You will almost never get in trouble for turning something in early. • What attorneys want/need is not always what they ask for. • The projects you’re working on are costing real people real money, real time, and real stress. • Attorneys and clients like to save money. When possible, go with the cheaper option.
Before you start, ask yourself: • How much do I know about the subject matter? – Be honest with yourself! • What research tools are available? • Who can I ask if I need help? • How much time is it going to take me to do this project?
Your tools: • Your law school Westlaw and Lexis passwords are NOT to be used for your summer job • Loislaw • Your employer’s Westlaw, Lexis, other online resources, and books • Ross-Blakley Law Library’s resources • Other law libraries’ resources • Free web sites
I’ve got an assignment – what do I do? • Have a plan • Don’t forget about secondary sources • Remember that there are more types of primary law than cases and statutes • Look for research guides • Don’t reinvent the wheel • Update
When am I done? • You’ve run out of time. • You found the answer. • It’s usually a matter of economics – how much is the client willing to pay? • You looked at everything. • You keep running into the same cases, statutes, etc. again and again • There may be no answer!
Final tip: • If you need help with a research project, contact a reference librarian at: • 480-965-7161 or • law.reference@asu.edu.