Library Course Guide - UWW | Library Course Guide for University Without Walls


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UMass Libraries > Research by Subject > Law Research Guide

Library Course Guide: Introduction to Law
Management 260

Introduction
This guide is arranged in the order that one might work through the research process. However, if you would like to go to a particular area, choose from the alphabetical grouping below.

Reference Materials
Locate background information on your topic by using the Library Catalog. To restrict your search to reference materials, click on the Other Searches box, then choose Restrict Searching to Reference Collections Only.

Employment Discrimination Law
UM/Ref KF3464.L56 1996
Madden & Owen on Product Liability
UM/Ref KF1296 M34 2000
Magill's Legal Guide
UM/Ref KF385 M35 2000
Products Liability
Smolla and Nimmer on Freedom of Speech
UM/Ref KF4772.N542
West's Encyclopedia of American Law
UM/Ref KF154 W47 2005
Women and the Law
UM/Ref KF478 W65

Please note: The "Ref" before the call number indicates an item in the Reference Collection, which is located on the Main floor of the Du Bois Library.

Books
Search for books in the Library Catalog. Use either subject or keyword search to find books on a particular topic. Write down the location and the call number. Consult the floor Directory to the Du Bois Library to find the floor where your call number is located.

Check the Subject section of the Library Catalog using the names of occupations or fields of study, followed by the phrase - VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE - for books about career advice. Examples:

ABORTION-LAW AND LEGISLATION-UNITED STATES

Other sources of books include:

Net Library - online books
WorldCat and Other Library Catalogs for searching other catalogs if you don't find books in the Four College Catalog.
Borrow books from the Virtual Catalog and Interlibrary Loan.

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Databases
Locate citations, abstracts and/or full text of journal articles, magazine articles, newspapers, dissertations, government documents, and other information sources in your subject.

The UMass Libraries database collection is licensed for on-campus access by all and remote access by OIT Account holders. See Library Services for Remote Users for information about off-site access.

Please note: In some of our databases you may see the UMLinks button - graphic for SFX/UMLinks service . Clicking on this button will take you directly to the full text of your article, if available, or to other options for finding the article if not available online. For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions about UMLinks.

Selected databases for Mgt. 260 research topics are:

Academic Search Premier: an interdisciplinary databases with many full text articles. Good starting point for many topics.

America: History and Life: citations and abstracts for journal articles, dissertations, and book reviews relating to United States and Canadian history

Expanded Expanded Academic Index: wide range of periodical articles on many topics -a great place to start your research. Includes full text.

JSTOR: full text articles from back issues of scholarly journals.

LexisNexis Academic: full text articles from news sources, business periodicals, legal, and medical publications.

Sociological Abstracts: citations to articles in the field of sociology.

Journals and Periodicals
The Library offers many journals in digital format. To search for title listings, use the E-Journal Locator (a link is always available at the top of the page.)

Finding Journals - When consulting databases and journal indexes, make sure to write down the complete citation for each journal article that you would like to find. This includes: author, title, journal name, date, volume, and page numbers. Journal articles can be printed from library computers, emailed to yourself, or photocopied. Go to the Library Catalog and search on journal title to see if we own that journal. Search the E-Journal Locator to see if the journal is available electronically.

Please note: The "Per" before the call number indicates an item is a periodical/journal.
Most of the recent journals from 2002 to present are shelved on the Main floor of the Du Bois Library. Refer to the Directory for complete information on locating journals older than 2002.
Printing from Library Computers - Must be paid for with an open UCard (student ID card) account, or with a Guest UCard. See "Orange Sheet," available at the Reference Desk, or follow instructions posted by the printers for complete printing information. Cost is .20/page.
Photocopying in the Library may be paid for by UCard, or by coins, $1, or $5 bill. Cost is .10/page. See Service Directory or http://www.library.umass.edu/reference/copiers.html for photocopier locations.

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Locating Materials within the Libraries
After you have the citation for your material (from a database, library catalog etc.) find the call number. If not available in the database or index you are using go to the Library Catalog.

Choose title and type the name of the journal title, book or other material in the box that appears.
If your title appears write down the call number given and location (UM/Main - W.E.B. Du Bois, UM/Sciences - Integrated Sciences & Engineering Library, Special Collections etc.).
Consult the Call Number chart to identify the floor for your material.

If this library doesn't own the material you want, try searching for an item from the Four College Catalog, or fill out an Interlibrary Loan Request Form with the appropriate citation information. Staff will attempt to locate and bring the material here for you to use.

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Internet Resources
Please note: Keep in mind when you are researching information on the Web that anyone can publish a web page. Read about the advantages and disadvantages of the "Free Web" and evaluate the information you find.
Examples of "Free" Internet resources:

American Bar Association Supreme Court Preview
Analysis of the issues, arguments, background of every case slated for oral argument in the Supreme Court
Findlaw Supreme Court Briefs
American Bar Association Supreme Court Briefs

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The Research Process (an introduction)

Getting Started with Research - Learn about some very basic research tools and when they are appropriate. Discover techniques for using different search tools, such as databases, indexes, the library catalog and search engines. Use your skills to find different types of resources, such as articles, books, reference materials and web pages.
Merlin Information Literacy Tutorial - In-depth tutorial on the library research process, including evaluation and citation of information sources.

Citation Styles
See Using Citation Styles for examples and links to standard style formats.

Library Help & Contacts

Ask a Librarian: Get reference assistance in person, by phone, by email or by virtual or "chat" reference.
Evaluate a Session: We would like your feedback about your library instruction session
Instructional Services: Resources that show how to locate, evaluate and use appropriate information for your research, teaching and service projects.
Interlibrary Loan: Request material from other libraries
Request a Consultation: Schedule an appointment with reference librarian Beth Lang. Email: bwlang@library.umass.edu
Tutorials: Interactive tutorials to refresh your library research skills.

Prepared for Jennifer Taub, Managment 260, 11/04

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University of Massachusetts Amherst
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