The Maloney Library reference librarians have compiled a list of searching tips and favorite advanced searching methods. They appear in no particular order.
See below for additional search tips.
The Maloney Library maintains an extensive collection of video tutorials on many of the topics covered in this guide.
Most academic law libraries produce research guides, much like this one, that collect information by jurisdiction and/or on a specific legal topic. If you are researching an issue you are unfamiliar with and looking for materials to start with search for a legal research guide on the topic. To find a legal research guide follow these steps:
Below is a table of advanced searching methods that are favorites among the reference librarians. These methods are primarily used to narrow or restrict searches and should be used when you are returning too many results.
Connector or Search Feature |
How it works |
Lexis |
Westlaw |
Bloomberg Law |
Proximity |
Searches for content within the same sentence, paragraph, or number of words. Word order is not considered. |
/s, /p, /n |
/s, /p, /n |
/s, /p, /n |
Example: copyright /5 infringement This search will search for the terms copyright and infringement within five words of each other regardless of whether copyright appears before or after infringement. |
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Word Order |
Searches for words in a specific order and proximity. |
+s, +p, +n |
+s, +p, +n |
+n |
Example: copyright +s infringement This search will search for the terms copyright and infringement in the same sentence where copyright appears before infringement. |
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NOT |
The search will exclude the term. |
AND NOT |
% |
NOT |
Example: copyright NOT infringement This search will search for documents that include the term copyright, but not infringement. All documents that have the term copyright and infringement will be excluded. |
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Fields/Segments |
Searches within a specific section of a document. Fields and segments change by type of document. |
Select the type of resource (e.g., cases, statutes, etc.), then use the Advanced Search feature to view the available segments. |
Select the type of resource (e.g., cases, statutes, etc.), then use the Advanced Search feature to view the available fields. |
Not available |
Example: For cases, both Lexis and Westlaw allow you to search the editorial summary of the case. In Lexis, this is the Summary segment and in Westlaw, it is the Synopsis field. Searching the case summary will allow you to focus your search on cases where you issue is a primary discussion in the case. |