The Supreme Court: Resources for Research

Kristin BernetMarch 5, 2012

Think before you leap Re-read your assignment Work smarter NOT harder

Where To Begin?

Appropriate Resources

Popular v. Scholarly

Is your resource peer-reviewed?

Found a resource online? Use the CRAPP method for evaluation

When in doubt always check with your teacher.

Primary v. Secondary

Case or review? Understanding the differences between and value of primary and secondary resources.

Are personal opinions from those involved directly in the proceedings considered primary or secondary?

Scholarly vs. Popular This quick video from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody library is a great overview on how to identify scholarly resources online.

Remember: When in doubt always check with your teacher.

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Keywords/ Subject Headings Boolean Searching And, Or, Not,

“quotations” Search limiters Date range, format,

resource type

Example:I want to look up Supreme Court cases about Social Media.

Getting Started

Electronic Library

- Databases- E-books

- Your Librarian!

Library Resources

Physical Library

- Reference Books- Biographies

- Your Librarian!

Using The Catalog

Boolean

Combine keywords with Boolean connectors

Always use dropdowns to see options

Use search limiters

Conducting A Database Search

History Reference Center & JSTOR

Google Scholar News Achieves Blogs Social Media Local Resources

Non-Traditional Resources

Use the CRAAP method: C- Currency NOT monetary $ R- Relevance Referral to/knowledge of

literature A- Authority Author credentials A- Accuracy Verifiability of details P- Purpose Bias, misinformation, and POV

Evaluating Information Found Online

Also, try Johns Hopkins:Evaluating Information Found Online LibGuide @http://guides.library.jhu.edu/evaluatinginformation

Questions?

Helpful Websites:1. Citation support: Purdue’s The OWL

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/2. Google Scholar scholar.google.com3. Supreme Court website

http://www.supremecourt.gov/4. Understanding the Federal Courts http

://snurl.com/fedcourts