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Cost Effective Legal Research: Bridging the Gap - From Backpacks to Briefcases

FIRM'S "OVERHEAD" MAY INCLUDE SPECIALTY DATABASES

SOME DATABASES MAY BE COVERED IN FIRM'S "OVERHEAD"

Check To See if your Workplace has DATABASES they've already paid for (will only cost your time)

EXAMPLES MAY INCLUDE:

 

 

 

HeinOnline.org

HEIN ONLINE

 

Or Specialty Databases (pertinent to Specific Practice Areas)

Find Antitrust and Competition Law Research Content Faster | Wolters Kluwer

WOLTERS KLUWER'S VITALLAW

GOOD NEWS - LOW COST AREAS in DATABASES

SOME GOOD NEWS:

Browse Lower Cost Areas in Fee-Based Databases:  WESTLAW, LEXIS PLUS & BLOOMBERG LAW

AND Use Smaller Databases (w/i Westlaw, Lexis, Blmbg Law) Versus

Using All Content-All Jurisdiction Databases (ex. use IL Cases vs. All States & All Feds)

THESE TIPS WILL SAVE YOU MONEY $$$$$$$

 

Check w/Librarian OR Information Specialist At Workplace (Firm, Company...etc.) - Some "Big 3" material may already by covered

  • BROWSING THE HOME PAGE & CONTENT PAGES 
  • PRIMARY LAW MAY BE FREE -  CHECK FIRM CONTRACT

WHY BUY A HUMMER WHEN YOU CAN USE A BIKE? 

  • USE SMALLER (More Targeted and Less Costly) DATABASES (When You Can) (i.e. IL Cases vs. All Feds & All States To Find an IL Case)
  • WILL INTRODUCE FREE & LOWER COST ALTERNATIVES AS WELL  (See Tab Within this Libguide)