YOUR LEGAL RESEARCH PRIMER

Navigating legal databases and encyclopaedias may seem intimidating at first, but there are a plethora of resources available to help you get your legal research groove on!

You will likely be looking at three different types of sources: cases, legislation and secondary sources. Secondary sources are things like journal articles, textbooks and legal encyclopaedias.

A great way to start your research is by coming up with a list of keywords related to your topic. This can be as general as ‘torts law’ or ‘duty of care’ or as specific as a case name like ‘Donoghue v Stevenson’. Your search terms should become more specific as your research progresses.

Once you have your keywords, your fingers will likely be itching to start searching the many databases and resources available to you through the QUT Library and on the broader web. These are some helpful databases that you can access via the QUT Library law databases page: - Attorney General’s Information Service (AGIS) - CaseBase (via Lexis Advance Pacific) - CCH IntelliConnect - Westlaw AU - AustLii

You can also search on the QUT Library website for information about your topic, especially if you are interested in secondary sources.

This is only a very brief overview on getting started with legal research. The QUT Library publishes fantastic legal research guides with videos and walkthroughs showing how to research specific areas of law. You can also book an appointment with a QUT librarian for one-on-one help! See Getting to Know the Library in this Guide for more information. Another great resource is the QUT Real Law page on Blackboard, which also contains research resources. If you would still like more information, keep an eye on your inbox and on the HiQ Events page for legal research workshops run throughout the year.

LAW RESEARCH GUIDES