Question 1

The legal researcher should identify key terms and issues; these can be used to&#10;A) locate relevant sources through the use of indexes&#10;B) locate relevant cases through the use of digests&#10;C) locate relevant information in a citator&#10;D) a and b&#10;E) a, b, and c

Accepted Answer

Each of the options listed can be useful in different ways to locate relevant sources and information. Identifying key terms and issues can assist in using indexes to locate relevant sources, which can be further refined using digests to find relevant cases. A citator can then be used to locate additional information, such as updates and related cases, that can help in understanding the legal issue at hand. Therefore, all three options (a, b, and c) are important for effective legal research.

Question 2

A legal researcher who knows little about the area of law to be researched&#10;A) should rely on the law librarian to explain the law&#10;B) should begin by randomly reading cases in the appropriate reporter&#10;C) can learn about that area of law by consulting secondary sources&#10;D) b and c&#10;E) a, b, and c

Accepted Answer

Consulting secondary sources is a recommended starting point for legal researchers unfamiliar with a specific area of law, as these sources provide context, explanations, and references to primary law, making the research process more efficient and informed.

Question 3

The legal researcher can locate primary authority by using citations found in&#10;A) secondary authority&#10;B) indexes&#10;C) digests&#10;D) a and b&#10;E) a, b, and c

Accepted Answer

Citations to primary authority can be found in secondary authority (such as law review articles or legal treatises), indexes, and digests. Therefore, option E, which includes all three options, is the best choice.

Question 4

The first step a legal researcher should take is to&#10;A) head directly to the law library.&#10;B) gather and organize relevant information.&#10;C) read all pertinent documents.&#10;D) b and c&#10;E) a, b, and c

Accepted Answer

The first step a legal researcher should take is to gather and organize relevant information, which includes reading all pertinent documents. Only after this step should the researcher head to the law library to begin researching specific cases or statutes related to the issue at hand. Therefore, both choices B and C are necessary and should be done before choice A. Thus, the best choice is D.

Question 5

The legal researcher can use primary authority to locate other primary authority by&#10;A) reading the primary authority&#10;B) reading case summaries in annotated codes and constitutions&#10;C) using a citator&#10;D) a and b&#10;E) a, b, and c

Accepted Answer

Primary authority can be located by reading the primary authority itself, which often cites other primary authorities; by reading case summaries in annotated codes and constitutions, which summarize and cite to relevant case law; and by using a citator, which tracks the history and treatment of legal authorities and lists subsequent citing documents.

Deck 7: Overview of the Research Process and Ethical Considerations