Here at Tex. Wesleyan Univ. School of Law, we integrate on-line and manual
research by having students work problem sets each week. Prob set #1 had
students find a case by case cite in F.2d, then on WESTLAW, then on LEXIS
and circle the features found in each (e.g. no topics and key numbers on
LEXIS, but in WESTLAW and in print). The instructions to students talks
about costs of finding the case using the 3 methods. The next class,
#2, we discuss which of the three methods is the most cost effective way
to retrieve a case with a known citation, including costs of printing.
In set #2, students are asked to find a case by title in print, on
WESTLAW, on LEXIS. They are also asked to print out the billing screen to
sensitize them to communication and database/search breakouts.
Each problem set builds on the prior ones (class 1 is overview, class 2 is
federal case law and Bluebook, class 3 is Texas caselaw and Tex. Rules of
Form, Class 4 is Shepard's etc.) until ultimately students are asked to
work through a short problem integrating manual and electronic searching
using query formulation. Students are asked to keep time and calculate
the costs of their research to find the law, and consider how to
effectively and efficiently integrate the print and electronics to yield
the most cost effective and efficient result.
In addition to WESTLAW and LEXIS training, we also compare the costs of
using Shepard's CD-ROM and Shepard's on-line. We also compare
form-searching in print and on SEARCHMASTER and teach students how to
download a form to disk, so that they can save time and $ by not having to
input the form from scratch.
There are a total of 13 problem sets that our library staff and student
legal research instructors have drafted. Let us know if you would like
copies of excerpts from some of the problem sets. All 13 problem sets are
available from our bookstore for purchase (Approx. $40).
Lydia M. Valenti (Legal Research Coordinator)
Jim Hambleton (Director Law Library)
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