Friday, October 07, 2011

More on paper research

I've been eavesdropping at the Reference desk and overhearing lots of questions regarding researching non-legal articles. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned legal articles indexes - Index to Legal Periodicals and LegalTrac.

Well, there are many really useful non-legal articles indexes as well. You can see a Subject Listing at the University Research Databases page. (You will be prompted to log into the Portal). I usually start with the multi-disciplinary index Academic Search Premier, so I do not need to figure out which subject listing to check. For Psychology and Sociology articles, two of my favorites are PsychINFO and Sociological Abstracts.

There are many other subjects available, so check out the subject listing.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Thursday, October 06, 2011

U.S. Supreme Court's Upcoming Decision On Health Law

As we mentioned in Monday’s post, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2011-12 term began this week.

One of the court’s most highly anticipated decisions concerns President Obama’s health law. For a worthwhile aggregation of various news stories on that subject, and its implications for the 2012 presidential election, click here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Thomson Reuters News & Insight

Thomson Reuters, the company that brings you Westlaw and WestlawNext as well as Reuters worldwide news services, has a new web site combining Reuters legal and business news with commentary and related source documents from Westlaw. Thomson Reuters News & Insight includes national legal coverage, with specific coverage of New York, California, bankruptcy and securities law developments. The news and some Insight articles on the site are free. Law students and anyone with a Westlaw OnePass account may access the Westlaw documents featured on the site by using their Westlaw password. This is a good source to keep in mind for news and analysis on fast-changing legal issues for class and for legal practice.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Online Resources: Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO)

Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) is a comprehensive source for theory and research in international affairs. It publishes a wide range of scholarship from 1991 onward that includes working papers from university research institutes, occasional papers series from NGOs, foundation-funded research projects, proceedings from conferences, books, journals and policy briefs.

To access CIAO:

  • Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
  • Click the "Foreign/Comparative Law" link
  • Click on "Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO"

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Monday, October 03, 2011

First Monday in October

The first Monday in October is the start of a new term for the United States Supreme Court. The Court's website was improved over the summer and now has a calendar of court activities on the front page. By clicking an the argument days, one can view what cases are scheduled for argument on that day.

SCOTUSblog is a good site for news and analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court's activities. The blog also posts briefs, opinions and transcripts as soon as they become available. The blog is a comprehensive free site for information on the court.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Sunday, October 02, 2011

Making of Modern Law: U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs, 1832-1978

The Making of Modern Law: U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs 1832-1978 offers a comprehensive collection of records and briefs for over 150,000 cases brought before the U.S. Supreme Court. The database is designed to serve as a primary source tool on aspects of American history as well as the U.S. judicial system. Documents include applications for review, motions, oral transcripts, briefs, petitions, supplements and more.

To access Making of Modern Law: U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs:
  • Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
  • Click the "History/Legal History" link
  • Scroll down to "Making of Modern Law-USSC Records & Briefs "
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat