Legal Research Demystified: A Step-by-Step Approach – eBook

Legal Research Demystified (PDF) presents a practical approach to legal research tailored for first-year law students. This ebook walks students through eight essential steps for researching common law issues and ten for statutory issues, breaking down the research process into manageable segments. This structure alleviates the frustration typically encountered when mastering new skills. The textbook not only provides clarity but also contextualizes the use of various sources and tools, emphasizing their relevance during legal research. It consistently highlights the inherently recursive nature of this process, preparing students to adapt their approach when necessary.

Through its systematic methodology, students will discover how seemingly disparate resources, such as citators and the Key Number System, connect and can be employed to resolve legal queries. Each chapter is enriched with charts, diagrams, and screenshots that enhance understanding of the research methods. Additionally, every chapter concludes with a “summary of key points” section to reinforce critical ideas.

The ebook equips both law students and professors with a variety of assessment tools. At the end of each chapter, true-false and multiple-choice questions assess comprehension of the material. These questions are also available on the companion website, Core Knowledge, where students can engage with additional advanced queries, benefit from instant feedback, and receive explanations for correct or incorrect answers. This allows professors to monitor student progress and determine whether a topic requires further exploration or if they can proceed to the next one. (New editions include an access code for Core Knowledge, while those who acquire used copies can purchase the code separately.)

Core Knowledge further enhances assessment opportunities with interactive research exercises. These online modules guide students through research steps in Westlaw and Lexis Advance, enabling professors to adopt a “flipped” classroom model. With extensive screenshots and helpful tips, students can familiarize themselves with both platforms outside of class, enabling deeper exploration of the material during lectures. Each exercise emulates a realistic research scenario, containing self-grading questions. For instance, one exercise challenges students to utilize Westlaw to assess whether a client can seek damages for emotional distress following the loss of their dog. Students must navigate research steps, locate and analyze secondary sources on Westlaw, employ the Key Number System, and conduct keyword searches to address the client’s inquiry.

Professor support materials (not included in the sale) comprise a Teacher’s Manual, sample syllabi, and example research exams to further assist in the educational process.

978-1531007836, 978-1531007843

NOTE: This sale only consists of the eBook Legal Research Demystified: A Step-by-Step Approach in PDF. No access codes are included.