![]() Again, this is really helpful when needing to account for possible synonyms and similar subjects. In this case, the search principle goes something like this: one of my search terms must be included in each result, but not necessarily both. For search engines and databases that do not recognize Boolean Operators in search terms, check the advanced search options for something like "find results with any of these terms" to apply the same principle.Īs this example shows, the number of results have been greatly increased. ![]() This can be incredibly helpful when search results are limited, but you suspect there is more information out there. This is helpful when trying to account for synonyms and similar subjects in your search. OR – Adding “OR” between two or more keywords expands results to include either. In this case, the search principle goes something like this: all of my search terms must be included each result. In addition, the remaining results are also more relevant as they are more likely to include information on the animal rather than the car company. As you can see in the Venn diagram below, the green triangle shows the range of results that will now be returned by the search engine or database.Īs the example shows, the number of results have been reduced. For search engines and databases that do not recognize Boolean Operators in search terms, check the advanced search options for something like "find results with all of these terms" to apply the same principle. Not all search engines and databases will accommodate Boolean Operators specifically, but the vast majority will allow you to utilize the principles behind those operators in one way or another.ĪND – Adding “AND” between two or more keywords narrows your search results by telling the engine to only return results that include X AND Y AND Z. There are many principles that you can use to improve search results, but the most common - and often times the most useful - are the ones encompassed by the Boolean Operators: AND, OR, NOT. The purpose of this blog is to show you some search tips that you can use when you hit a roadblock. In moments like these, it is not uncommon to wonder if there is a better way to find information. OR - expands search results When used between two words, OR means that the results may contain either or both words.While search engines often make quick work of finding the information we need, there are certainly times when searching becomes frustrating and even disheartening. Use connectors to show the way you expect your search terms to appear in relevant documents. for truncation / alternate endings, e.g., discrim! = discrimination The root expander is the exclamation point (!). Use these characters to account for variant spellings and endings. R = Root Expander (& Universal Character / Wild-Card) Think about: (Exact) Synonyms, e.g., car, automobile child, minor, Look for words that legal writers are reasonably likely to use in place of the key terms you’ve identified. Any specific or distinctive word, phrase, name or number may be a search term, e.g., 401K, IBM, “Ford Pinto”, negligence, landlord, ERISA, etc., etc.Ī = Alternatives - Identify Alternatives to Key Terms A mnemonic is TARC:Ī term is: a word in the issue statement that is important for or essential to describing the facts of the problem or issue raised, or the legal theory involved. The next 4 steps turn the issue statement into a search. This should be the specific question you are trying to answer. Primary materials, such as cases or statutes (for authoritative statements of the law)?.Legal encyclopedias (for quick overviews)?.Scholarly articles (for in-depth discussions)?.Treatises or practice guides (for context, background)?.What type of materials do I want to search?.What words (jargon, terms of art) are used in this area of law?.What does the client or supervisor need? Specific documents? A quick answer? A thorough brief?.Am I familiar with it, or do I need to get some background?.
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