How To Efficiently Search Within A Law Review

can i search within a law review

Law reviews are scholarly publications that are usually edited by law students and faculty members. They contain articles, essays, and notes written by professors, lawyers, and students. These publications are a great resource for legal research as they offer in-depth analysis and extensive references to other sources. Many law reviews are available online through databases such as HeinOnline, Westlaw, Lexis+, Bloomberg Law, JSTOR, and Google Scholar. These databases allow users to search for specific articles, authors, or keywords within law reviews and journals. Some databases also provide access to the full text of articles, while others may only offer citations or abstracts. Additionally, print versions of law reviews can be found in law libraries, typically arranged alphabetically by title.

Characteristics Values
Number of law reviews Over 300
Number of articles Over 220,000
Availability of current issues Free
Archives Available from 1852
Sources Westlaw, HeinOnline, JSTOR, Google Scholar, Bloomberg Law, Lexis+
Search criteria Author, title, keywords, broad subject area (including "law")
Access Free and paid
Additional features Alerts, bookmarking, saving search queries, full-text download, print, email

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Search by author, title, or keywords

When searching for law reviews, you can search by author, title, or keywords.

Searching by Title

To find a specific law review or journal article, it is recommended that you conduct an advanced search for the title of the journal. Once you have located the law review or journal title in your list of results, click on the title to view the full record. If the article is available through an online resource, the record will provide links to the online version of the article through the database on which it is available. If the journal is available in print, the record will have information on where you can locate it.

Searching by Author

Most law reviews and journals are arranged alphabetically by title. However, you can also search for a particular article or author in the library catalog. If the library has electronic access to the article, the catalog will provide you with a link. Additionally, every author featured in HeinOnline's scholarly journals database has an author profile page, making it easy for researchers to learn about the qualifications, interests, and writings of any author they are interested in.

Searching by Keyword

If you need to search for law review articles by topic, you can run a keyword search in HeinOnline. HeinOnline also allows users to visualize the results yield of various keywords with its Venn Diagram Search. This feature lets you view the results of any number of keyword combinations and refine the search in real-time.

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Online law reviews

Additionally, Google Scholar provides access to online versions of law reviews and other scholarly legal secondary content. It also links to full-text versions available through university databases, such as Loyola's HeinOnline. Westlaw also includes law reviews and CLE programs from the United States and Canada, which can be searched by state or topic, or by using the "Law Reviews & Journals Index". Lexis+ also provides access to law reviews and journals under "Secondary Materials". Bloomberg Law offers a similar service, with a range of law reviews and journals available.

There are also over 300 open-access law reviews available on Law Review Commons, with over 220,000 articles and free access to current issues and archives dating back to 1852. The Social Science Research Network (SSRN) is another free source that is helpful for locating recently published law journal articles. However, it's important to note that not all works-in-progress are available on SSRN, and some articles may not be available in full text.

Law blogs, or "blawgs", are another emerging source of legal scholarship. These blogs provide rapid and unfiltered commentary on legal issues, with Law Professor Blogs, LLC being the nation's only network of legal blogs edited primarily by law professors, deans, and lawyers. The Boston College Law Library also maintains a list of online companions to major U.S. law reviews, providing an overview of online publishing opportunities for faculty members.

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Law reviews in print

Law reviews are an excellent resource for legal research and can be found in print in various libraries and online databases. Here is some information about locating and searching within law reviews in print:

Locating Law Reviews in Print

Many law schools and universities maintain extensive collections of law reviews and journals in their libraries. For example, the Loyola University Chicago Law Library has a collection of law reviews and journals located on the fourth floor, arranged alphabetically by title. Other universities, such as Georgetown University, also provide guides and resources for locating law reviews and journals.

Searching Within Law Reviews

When searching for a specific law review article in print, you can follow these steps:

  • Check the library catalog: Search for the journal title in the library's online catalog. The catalog will indicate whether the journal is available in print or electronically.
  • Search by article title or author: In addition to searching by journal title, many catalogs now allow you to search by the title of a particular article or the author's name.
  • Access online databases: Online databases such as HeinOnline, Westlaw, Lexis+, and Bloomberg Law provide access to law reviews and journals. These databases may require specific IDs and passwords for access.
  • Utilize Google Scholar: Google Scholar provides access to online versions of law reviews and legal content. If the content is included in a university database, Google Scholar may provide a link to the full-text version.
  • Explore open-access options: Websites like Law Review Commons offer over 300 open-access law reviews and archives dating back to 1852.

It is important to note that some resources, such as SSRN, may not have all articles available in full text, so it is essential to cross-reference with other databases or print collections.

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Westlaw and Lexis+

Additionally, if you know the citation of the article, you can simply type it into the search box on the homepage. You can use abbreviations or type out the entire citation. For example, you can search for "57 Stan L Rev 1095", "57 Stanford Law Review 1095", or "57 Stanford LR 1095".

On Lexis+, it is recommended to run a free-text search for your topic and then use the "Narrow by" filters to refine your results. This helps to ensure you retrieve the most relevant results. You can also use the "Sources" feature to determine if a specific law review or journal is available online. The "Sources" feature also displays the date coverage of the specific law review or journal.

Both Westlaw and Lexis+ require user IDs and passwords for access. The collections on Westlaw and Lexis+ usually go back to the early 1980s, while other databases like HeinOnline include every issue of each journal it indexes.

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Blogs/blawgs

Blogs and blawgs are a great way to stay informed about legal matters and gain insights from experts in the field. They can provide valuable information and analysis on a wide range of topics, often in a more accessible and concise manner than traditional law reviews.

One example of a blog that offers practical guidance is "Ten Things You Need to Know as In-House Counsel". This blog provides tips and tricks for in-house legal teams, such as how to create an effective legal department website, with instructions on adding frequently asked questions, bios of the legal team, and form agreements.

Another blog, "Freedom for Drivers Foundation", offers insights on judicial reviews and how to pursue them. It covers topics like cost caps, the role of legal representation, and the criteria for cases to be heard by judges.

"Securities Litigation and Enforcement" is a blawg that delves into the intricacies of applying for search warrants. It provides valuable dos and don'ts, highlighting the importance of reasonable grounds and the precise scope of the search.

For those interested in professor reviews, "MLaw Prof Reviews" is a platform where Michigan Law students can anonymously submit feedback on their professors.

Additionally, "REALaw blog" serves as an extension of the Review of European Administrative Law (REALaw). It provides a forum for discussing the Europeanization of administrative law, the interplay between national and EU law, and the impact of digitization on fundamental rights.

These blogs and blawgs showcase the diverse nature of legal content available online, offering a blend of practical advice, scholarly discussions, and critical analyses. They contribute to a dynamic legal discourse that is more accessible to a wider audience beyond traditional law reviews.

Frequently asked questions

Law reviews can be accessed through online databases such as HeinOnline, Westlaw, Lexis+, Bloomberg Law, JSTOR, and Google Scholar. University libraries also provide print versions of law reviews and journals, usually located in the Law Library.

Law reviews are scholarly publications often edited by law students, faculty members, professors, and lawyers. They contain articles, essays, comments, and notes on new or emerging areas of law. Law journals typically refer to periodicals that publish articles, case notes, legislative updates, and book reviews.

Most online databases allow you to search by author, title, keywords, or full text. You can also narrow your search to specific sections or use fielded searches for more precise results.

Yes, there are several free resources available. Law Review Commons provides access to over 300 open-access law reviews and over 220,000 articles. Google Scholar provides links to online versions of law reviews, and SSRN is a free source for locating recently published law journal articles.

You can search for articles by using the online catalog or database search functions. Search by the title of the article, author, or keywords. University library websites may also provide guides and tips on searching for specific law reviews and articles.

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