WESTLAW is a collection of searchable databases, including primary legal materials, law journals, and encyclopedias.

Note: WESTLAW may only be accessed on the first floor of the Ely Library, at the dedicated computer beside the reference desk. Ask at the Reference Desk for assistance.

Connecting to WESTLAW

At the WESTLAW terminal, double-click on the icon labeled WESTLAW Web Version to go to the sign-on page (right). Westlaw password should be filled in automatically. Click in the Client ID box and Type wsc, library. Click on the Go button.

Searching by Legal Citation

When the database opens, the default starting page appears containing a search box (right). If you know the exact legal citation for a case or statute, type the citation in the Find This Document by Citation box and click the Go button. You may also choose to Keycite a case by citation. This will track the history of a case as well as locating all citing legal references.

Selecting a "Database"

If you need to conduct keyword, subject, or more advanced searches, you must select a database. Opening a Westlaw Database Enter the abbreviation for a database. Type in the abbreviation for a database in the Search these databases box, then click the Go button. The following are commonly used databases: amjur A legal encyclopedia usca U.S. code annotated sct Supreme Court cases lawrev-pro Journals and Law Reviews Pro allfeds All federal cases ma-cs Cases decided in Massachusetts courts allstates State court cases ma-st-ann Massachusetts Statutes Annotated Alternately, Westlaw features several options for locating a database » Other Options for Locating and Opening a Westlaw Database Use the "Find a Database Wizard" Follow instructions from the Database Wizard to determine which database is appropriate for your search. Choose a database from dropdown menus Choose a database from the dropdown menu Recent Databases or Favorite Databases. Browse databases through the Directory To browse a complete list of available databases, click on the link to View Westlaw Directory, and then All Databases. Note: the WSC subscription to Westlaw does not include access to Business & News, Litigation or Public Records. The subscription also offers limited access to titles under Legal Periodicals and Current Awareness.

Search Functions

Once in a database, use search functions between words and within words to perform more relevant searches. See example to the right: The search phrase will find the word "groundwater" within the same paragraph as any word beginning with the letters "contamin" (contaminate, contaminated, contamination). The following are examples of search functions available in Westlaw. Westlaw will display a full list of functions at any search window. & and space or /p within the same paragraph ! root expander (unlimited characters) "     " searches terms as a phrase

Search Results (Cases)

Search results are displayed chronologically. Results may be selected and printed, emailed or saved. Cases will be displayed with symbols to indicate the status. may have negative history no longer good law has history citing refs, no negative history

Viewing Cases

Links within the text of the case lead to full-text of other cases. Use links in left-hand toolbar to view Full History and Citing References. Graphical View provides a visual outline of the case history. Case Outline provides a navigational outline of the case. ResultsPlus will display links to secondary materials such as encyclopedias, treatises, and articles.

Searching for Journal Articles

From the top toolbar, click the link for the DIRECTORY. Next choose the Journal and Law Reviews folder from the list of folders. To search for journal articles on a topic choose Journals and Law Reviews Pro LAWREV-PRO indexing law reviews from a range of states and topic areas. To find the full-text of a journal article, choose Journals & Law Reviews by Title to locate and search the "database" for the originating journal.

Locating the Full-Text of a Journal Article When a journal is selected as a database, a search screen will open to search the contents of the journal. To find a particular journal article by title or author, select a Field to search in the journal search screen. The field code will appear beside a set of parentheses in which to type your search terms. Be sure to enclose titles in quotations.

Searching for Journal Articles on a Topic When searching by topic in LAWREV- PRO be sure to create focused search strings with plenty of search terms (this database searches a huge collection of titles).

Use the Term Frequency function to indicate a minimum number of times each search term appears in the document. This will ensure more relevant results.

Viewing Journal Articles Links within text include footnotes and in some cases the full-text of cited sources. Citing References will display documents which have cited the article. ResultsPlus will display links to the relevant secondary materials. Articles can be printed, saved or email from the icon links above the article.