Introduction
Creating search queries in the Natural Language option on Westlaw and Lexis sites is similar to a standard Google, Bing, or Yahoo search. Creating a Terms & Connectors query in either Westlaw or Lexis is significantly different. But once the rules are understood, Terms & Connectors searches are not that difficult.
The important concept to remember for both Westlaw and Lexis is that Terms & Connectors searches utilize "proximity locators." These are signals that the researcher includes within his or her query that tell the search engine what relationship the prior and subsequent terms should have to each other.
For example, if terms within a search are "sentencing phase," "prior" "admissible," and "offense," the researcher must indicate how close those terms should be to each other.
Westlaw
In Westlaw, the most common proximity locators are:
Proximity Locator |
It means |
and |
the two terms anywhere in the same case |
/s |
in the same sentence |
/p |
in the same paragraph |
Thus, a resulting search query could be:
"sentencing phase" and admissible /p prior /s offense
The above search is looking for the phrase sentencing phase anywhere in the same case with admissible, which is in the same paragraph as prior, which in turn is in the same sentence as offense.
Lexis
In Lexis, the proximity locators are similar, but there is also the option for specific amounts of words.
Proximity Locator |
It means |
and |
the two terms anywhere in the same case |
w/10 |
within 10 words (any number may be used) |
/s |
same sentence |
/p |
same paragraph |
Thus, a resulting search query could be:
"sentencing phase" and admissible w/30 prior w/5 offense
The above search is looking for the phrase sentencing phase anywhere in the same case with admissible, which is found within 30 words of prior, which in turn is within 5 words of offense.
Assignments
The assignments in the book are not difficult. Just spend 10 or 15 minutes in both Westlaw and Lexis trying Terms & Connectors searches. Conduct a Natural Language search alongside a Terms & Connectors search and determine which you prefer.
This won't take long, and it will be one more small advantage of experience that you take with you from this program. So if you are a bit exhausted, take a deep breath and realize that you are doing this for your future! |
