Lawyering Program - Law School - Lewis & Clark

Terms and Connectors

Developing Search Terms & Strategies

Before you start searching, you are going to need to develop a list of search terms and develop a strategy for using the terms in your search.  This document will walk you through the process.

Types of Searches

Boolean Searching (aka using Terms & Connectors)

Boolean searches allow you to combine words and phrases using “connectors” (otherwise known as Boolean operators) to limit, widen, or define your search. Boolean searching requires you to understand various commands and connectors.  See the “Terms & Connectors” links in the sections below for the particular connectors used by Lexis & Westlaw.  Here’s some basic information about how the three main Boolean connectors (OR, AND, and NOT) work.

Natural Language

Another way to execute a word search is to use what is called “natural language” searching.  Natural language searching can be helpful if you are researching an unfamiliar area of law.  Natural language results can be inconsistent, especially because you do not specify the connectors used to define the relationships among the search terms.  Boolean searching offers more flexibility in tailoring a word search to your needs.

Using Your Search Terms in Lexis

This document lists the terms & connectors used by Lexis.

This document will walk you through the process of using your search terms to execute a search using Lexis.

This web page explains things in a bit more detail:

http://www.lexisnexis.com/help/global/US/en_US/gh_terms.asp

Using Your Search Terms in Westlaw

This document lists the terms & connectors used by Westlaw and explains the general process for executing a terms & connectors search.

Using Your Search Terms in WestlawNext

This document explains how to execute a terms and connectors search on WestlawNext.

Help!

If you find yourself at a stand-still and can’t figure out what to do, ask for help! It’s better to ask for help sooner than later, so you don’t end up wasting valuable time spinning your wheels.  Here’s where to go:

Utilize the Library’s Reference Desk

The Reference Desk is a great place to go when you need help.  If you are at school, you can drop by and talk to someone.  If you are away from campus, you can call or email:

• Phone number: (503) 768-6688
• Email: lawlib@lclark.edu
• Hours:
• • Monday - Thursday  9am – 6pm
  • Friday 9am – 5pm
  • Saturday 11am – 5pm
  • Sunday Closed

Website: http://lawlib.lclark.edu/libraryinfo/refservices.php

Contact Lexis

Lexis has a great staff of legal professionals just waiting to help you.  Don’t hesitate to ask them for help!

• LiveSupport (24 hours a day)
• • Log in to Lexis.  On the top right portion of the screen, just below the words “Research Now”, click on “Lexis.com” and then click on “LiveSupport” at the top right corner of the screen.  A screen will pop up that allows you to chat with support staff, who can walk you through the solution to your problem.
• Phone Assistance (24 hours a day):
• • 1-800-45-LEXIS (1-800-455-3947)

Contact Westlaw

Westlaw has a great staff of legal professionals just waiting to help you.  Don’t hesitate to ask them for help!

• Live Chat (M-F, 5am–10pm)
• • Log on to Westlaw.  Under the Facebook and Twitter buttons on the left side of the screen, click on “WestlawNext Live Help.”
• Immediate Assistance 24hrs a day:
• • 1-800-733-2889