Electronic Research Methods
This five-lesson plan on electronic research methods was developed by the American Bar Association (ABA) to provide attorneys with an introduction to electronic research methods and their importance in the legal profession. Electronic research methods have become more important than ever in the legal profession due to the tremendous increase in discovery. Discovery is defined as the gathering of information by a non-lingering individual or group to aid in legal proceedings. Electronic research methods provide tools for increasing discovery. These tools are vastly different from traditional research methods and are essential tools for gaining discovery that is quicker and more efficient.
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Electronic Research Methods
This five-lesson plan on electronic research methods was developed by the American Bar Association (ABA) to provide attorneys with an introduction to electronic research methods and their importance in the legal profession. Electronic research methods have become more important than ever in the legal profession due to the tremendous increase in discovery. Discovery is defined as the gathering of information by a non-lingering individual or group to aid in legal proceedings. Electronic research methods provide tools for increasing discovery. These tools are vastly different from traditional research methods and are essential tools for gaining discovery that is quicker and more efficient.
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The fifth lesson in this series on electronic research methods teaches lawyers how to create an electronic library of prior experience and research. The electronic library of prior experience includes law reviews, case studies, scholarly articles, white papers, technical reports, scholarly volumes, and other similar sources of information. Electronic research methods are used to locate, analyze, and cite these sources. emphasis is placed on searching for, studying, using, and formatting electronic resources of law; correct citation; and utilization of electronic research tools. In addition, the importance of presenting attorneys with a variety of electronic tools that they can use to perform their various research tasks is stressed.
Lawyers need to conduct effective research because attorneys cannot litigate every case based upon the facts presented to them. Discovery is an important method that allows attorneys to obtain and evaluate evidence and other information relevant to their client’s case. Electronic databases that provide case information and data, prior research, or case notes facilitate the attorney’s ability to collect and organize information and evidence relevant to their cases.
Another benefit of electronic research methods is that they reduce the attorney’s workload. Electronic databases help to streamline the legal process, which frees an attorney from spending hours searching through paper documents. Electronic databases also make filing more efficient and less time consuming. Electronic databases are user friendly and convenient. A vast amount of information is made available to the lawyer in a matter of minutes. This ease of use and convenience of use makes it one of the most popular research methods today.
Electronic research has many advantages over other traditional research methods. It is faster and less expensive than paper-based research. Electronic databases are frequently updated. Electronic resources are easily searched. Electronic documents are stored electronically and accessed electronically by multiple users. Electronic records are maintained in local and central repositories instead of huge filing cabinets.
Electronic research methodologies should not replace traditional methods of litigation. It should supplement, enhance, and not replace those methodologies. Electronic databases should not be considered as the only or even the primary method of accessing and researching legal material. Electronic databases should be seen as a helpful and necessary part of the legal process and a vital resource for attorneys.