A strategic approach to legal research leads to searching efficiencies and better results.
- Analyse topic - identify legal issues/concepts, scope, task and topic words, limitations and information needs.
- Search strategy - brainstorm search terms, apply search techniques, consider which sources to use.
- Secondary sources - find background information in legal encyclopedias, books, journals, commentary etc. Evaluate results and revise search strategy if necessary.
- Primary sources - locate legislation and case law. Update to ensure they are current/authoritative.
- Referencing - cite information sources in AGLC style.
Keep a research record and systematically manage search results throughout this process.
