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Thinking About Legal Research Problems

Created by Paul D. Callister from earlier version at http://www1.law.umkc.edu/faculty/callister/bootcamp/Survival/tab1.html

Research Process, Plans and Logs

 

Legal Research Cycle

 

More information:  Paul D. Callister, Chapter 6: Construct of the Legal Research Process, in FIELD GUIDE TO LEGAL RESEARCH 123 (West Academic Publishing 2019).

Research Plan and Log Templates

Why should you plan your research?  Why keep a log? It saves you that most valuable commodity:  TIME.  Instead of diving down rabbit holes (irrelevant searches), duplicating earlier research, or feeling overwhelmed by 1,000s of research results (noise), this process will help you stay focused, find the right materials, and prevent research anxiety.  Alternative link (use if Panopto is down). Please watch this video to learn how to use the Research Plan and Research Log templates linked above.

Templates by Staci Pratt, Head of Student Services and Outreach Librarian, University of Colorado Law School Wm. A. Wise Law Library