Introduction
to Paralegal
Studies
Chapter
17
Chapter
17 discusses
computer assisted legal research. Obviously you have been doing that
for the last few weeks. However, computer assisted legal research of
primary and secondary authority is a great deal broader than what we have
been doing so far. As an instructor of computer assisted legal
research, I soon realized that students, faced with an enormous electronic
database, had no idea where to look for the information until they had
mastered the art of researching the print media. It was the print
media research that allowed the student to view the electronic database as a giant library full of
print media. They were then able to search by choosing the resources much as
they had done before in the library. Through that
understanding and a thorough analysis of the problem presented they were
able to direct their focus to a particular area of the database.
Computer assisted legal research does not drastically differ from
traditional research. The sources are the same as are the methods of
searching. Instead of indices one uses a search engine. No
matter what method is used vocabulary is still the key.
Do not
spend a significant amount of time and energy in this chapter.
Please read it thoroughly. This topic will be taught again in
the legal research and writing class when you will use online databases
such as, Lexis and Westlaw.
Also note the
inherent limitations of internet research, particularly,
reliability. Finding reliable sources is extremely important.
The primary authority on this site is quite reliable but
remember the problem in Chapter 3 where the paralegal took tax information
off of the internet from the taxing authority and it was incorrect.
There will be a
short quiz on this chapter but again NO trivia.
|
Requirements |
| Read: | Chapter 17, pages
629
- 670. Emphasis should be placed on the benefits and detriments to the various types of computer-assisted research. Do not memorize websites, etc., information about how the web works, or search engines. |
| Review: | Key Terms and Concepts, page 665. |
| Know: | Chapter Summary, pages 666-667. |
| Use: | Chapter
17 Review Sheet PowerPoint Chapter 16 and 17 |
| Complete: | The purpose of this
chapter is to see if you can find on the internet all of the
material you were able to find in the print media. Do all of the same
research you did in the print media online. Do not write another
Internal Memorandum simply print a copy of the page where you found
the material, send it to me with the answer highlighted and insert it into the Paralegal
Reference Manual when it is returned to you. Primary Sources Secondary Sources |
| Insert: | The answers into the appropriate section of sections of your Paralegal Reference Manual. |
| Take: | Chapter Quiz (5 questions) |
| Send:
|
a copy of all work completed in this chapter (including the extra credit) to the instructor upon completion of Module 3. Interactive students will turn in the work on a weekly basis. All work must be received prior to the deadline listed in the Syllabus schedule and must be delivered based on the instructions listed in the Syllabus (Work Delivery Instructions.) |
|
Extra
Credit |
|
| Complete: | Using Internet
Resources #1, page 668. |
| Insert: | Write an informal memorandum summarizing the information you retrieved and place it in the Legal Research Section of the Paralegal Reference Manual. |
| Complete: | Using Internet
Resources #2, page 668. |
| Insert: | Write an informal memorandum summarizing the information you retrieved and place it in the Legal Research Section of the Paralegal Reference Manual. |
| Send: | a copy of all work completed in this chapter (including the extra credit) to the instructor upon completion of Module 3. Interactive students will turn in the work on a weekly basis. All work must be received prior to the deadline listed in the Syllabus schedule and must be delivered based on the instructions listed in the Syllabus (Work Delivery Instructions.) |
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