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It can often be easier to begin legal research with a secondary source, rather than directly accessing primary sources. Secondary sources explain different areas of law and point to relevant statutes, regulations, and court cases. The following chart may help you select and access secondary sources.
| Type of Material | Use to Get | Locate Using | Updated With | Electronic |
|
Legal Encyclopedias |
Broad overview | Index or topic lists | Annual pocket parts and supplements | LexisNexis (AmJur) and Westlaw (AmJur and CJS) |
| ALR and ALR Federal | More in-depth treatment of a narrow topic. Cases on both sides of a legal issue. | ALR index (KF 132 .A5615) ALR Fed. index (KF 105 .A542) Shepards |
Annual pocket parts and supplements | LexisNexis and Westlaw |
| Treatises | Background information and overview; More depth than an encyclopedia article; May be quite in-depth | Locate specific titles with catalog, research guide, or Georgetown Legal Treatise Finder. Locate relevant sections using index or table of contents. Books available in databases may also be keyword searched. | Updating mechanism and frequency vary | Some in databases, such as Bloomberg Law, LexisNexis, HeinOnline, BNA, CCH, Westlaw, and Making of Modern Law. |
| Law journal articles | More in-depth treatment of typically fairly narrow topic with extensive footnotes | See Finding Articles | Typically not updated | See Drake Law Library research guide |
| Looseleafs and portfolios | Fairly comprehensive and up-to-date information about different practice areas | Indexes. Read the “How to Use” sections or ask a librarian | Individually replaced pages, issued throughout the year | Many in databases, such as Bloomberg Law, LexisNexis, Westlaw, RIA Checkpoint, BNA, CCH |
| Practice Aids | Provide practical guidance on specific areas of law or legal tasks, like preparing documents | See Legal Practice Materials | Updating mechanism and frequency vary | Varies. |
| Restatements (Ready Reference; may be duplicates in stacks.) |
In-depth, analytical treatment of broad areas of law; Highly regarded persuasive authority | Determine the relevant restatement (and series) and then use the index or table of contents. See the section number in the appendix volume(s) to find relevant cases. | Annual pocket parts and supplements Added Appendix vols. | LexisNexis and Westlaw |
| Legal Research Guides | Information on useful sources; May also provide overview information (e.g., a tax guide may explain the kinds of Treasury Dept. regulations) | See Finding Legal Research Guides | Look for update date (Web) or copyright date (print). | Many are freely available on the Web. |
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