FALL SERIES:
Research Preparation for your Supervised Analytical Writing
The fall research seminars are focused on helping law students prepare for their supervised analytical writing (SAW) assignment by demonstrating the emerging technologies in the field of legal research. Students will learn about helpful (and not so helpful) legal databases, how to search for information and how maintain legal research records. Lecturers will showcase subscription based as well as open source tools for legal research. These seminars are open to the whole law school community.
Emerging Technologies in Documenting and Tracking Your Research
Wednesday, September 17, 2008; 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Room 112.
Students will learn how to manage their electronic research using tools such as RSS feeds, Zotero, Google, Refworks, etc. Yale University reference librarians Camilla Tubbs and Joseph Murphy will discuss how to use the resources to improve your own research.
Joint Symposium, Specialized Research with Lexis and Westlaw
Wednesday, October 15, 2008; 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Room 112.
Lexis and Westlaw representatives will share the stage and demonstrate special features in their databases to help students conduct research on their SAWs. Included in this training will be: how to develop SAW/Substantial or law journal note topics, how to track and update your research, as well as where to go for additional research assistance.
Legal Research in Foreign Law, Issues Using the Internet
Wednesday, November 12, 2008; 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Room 112.
Teresa Miguel, Reference Librarian for Foreign and International Law, will discuss where to find foreign law on the web and how to identify which of these sources are authoritative and authentic.
Many government data sources are essentially inaccessible to the general public, while others that are accessible contain nomadic formatting, making it difficult to search and find information. Search engines like Google and Yahoo, and private third party organizations, such as OMB Watch, have revolutionized the search for information and have achieved functionality the government has thus far failed to achieve. Savvy law students are increasingly using these search engines and other open access sources to find important government information. In this lecture, students will learn about which sites are providing users with accurate, thorough and searchable information.
SPRING SERIES:
Preparing for Research in the "Real World"
The theme of the Spring research seminar series is "Preparing for Research in the Real World." This series focuses on teaching law students about legal research outside of the academic community. Students will learn about databases outside of the typical academic subscription; for instance, which databases are being utilized by law firms and public interest entities. Guest lecturers will describe research expectations in the professional world. And the final lecture in the series serves as a research refresher to prepare students for their summer internships or new employment. These seminars are open to the whole law school community.
February 2009: Joint Symposium, Lexis and Westlaw Databases Outside of the Academic Subscription
Lexis and Westlaw representatives will share the stage and demonstrate some of the products that are being outside of the academic market. This will include specialized subject-based databases, case management software and interactive tools.
March 2009: Real World Research Expectations
Guest lecturers from the private legal sector will hold a conversational-styled lecture on research expectations in the "real world." Topics to be addressed include: What types of resources/databases that I have here are available in private practice? What types of research questions might I first expect? What types of questions am I allowed to ask firm librarians, the associates, etc.? Are there still books available in the firm -- when do firms stick to print rather than online resources? How much time should I be spending on my research, or when will I know to stop researching? This seminar builds on discussions from West's 2008 Expectations for New Associates survey, a synopsis of which is provided here.
May 2009: Summer Survival Skills
Students will have a reminder session on how conduct legal research and how to connect to Yale Law Library resources over the summer. This seminar corresponds with the information posted on the Summer Survival Skills website located here.