Westlaw Campus Research Guide

To conduct searches using Westaw's Advanced Search template, click on 'Advanced' located to the right of the search box. 

This will take you to the Advanced Search template screen. On this page, you can conduct searches using Boolean terms and connectors with the help of the preset fields.Jurisdiction can be selected by clicking on the Jurisdiction drop down menu in the upper right corner of the search field. The preset fields allow you to search: 

• All of these terms - includes all terms within search results
• Any of these terms - includes any of the terms within search results
• This exact phrase - includes the exact phrase within search results
• Exclude documents  - eliminates any results that include the indicated terms. 

Results Page

After conducting your search, an overview of the results is displayed on the results page. On the left panel, you'll see various content categories that identify the number of results within each category. The center panel provides an overview of the documents available within each category. Click on the desired category to review the full list of results

Refining Results

Once you have identified the appropriate content category, you have the ability to refine, or narrow down, your results. The left panel provides the following filters dependent on content category chosen: 

• Search within results - This allows you to conduct another search within the list of results. 
• Jurisdiction - Select your desired jurisdiction. If you have already selected this option prior to searching, you will not need to narrow down by this option. 
• Date - Select from preset options or customize your date range
• Reported Status - This option appears when searching for cases and allows you to narrow down by reported (published within a state or federal reporter) or unreported (not published within a state or federal reporter) case opinions.
• Topic - Select the practice area relevant to your legal information need.
• Judge, Attorney, or Law Firm - These options allow you to narrow down by specific judge, attorney, or law firm when searching for cases, administrative decisions, or briefs. 
• Form Type - When searching for statutes, secondary sources, or court rules, you have the option to narrow down by text forms, checklists, or clauses. 
• Agency - When searching for administrative decisions & guidance, you can narrow down by federal agency. 
• Publication Type/Publication Name - These filters appear when searching within Secondary Sources. 
• Key Number - The West Key Number System® is the database's classification system of U.S. law. This allows you to narrow down to a specific classification of the law. Click on the key number to drill down by subcategory. Select 'Add' to narrow down by the specified category.

Sorting the Results List

Results are ranked by relevance by default. To change this ranking, select an option from the Sort by dropdown menu at the top of the center column. You can sort by most cited, relevance, and table of contents. 

Reviewing Search Histories

You can return to your previous work at any time during your research session. Hover over History at the top of any page. A list of the five most recent documents you have viewed and searches you have run is displayed. Note: Your history is available until the end of your research session. 

Saving Your History

1. Click on the History link at the top of the page. All of your history will appear here.
2. Click on the drop down menu next to the envelop.
3. Select your preferred method to save your history. The options are print, download, email, download to Dropbox or kindle.

Note: You need to do this before you end your session, otherwise your search history will be cleared.