Searching and Browsing FAQs Resource

• Search in All the Encyclopedias (Simple Search using the Google search algorithm)
• Advanced Search Tips
• For a brief overview of searching the Encyclopedia of Law, see the Quick Start section.

FAQs about Searching and Browsing

We classify all of our resources under several legal subject headings, with several subdomains, enabling you to get a quick listing of the best of the Encyclopedia of Law for a specific subject area. You have different methods of browsing the Encyclopedia. You aso may use our range of Indexes. You can also search the Encyclopedia database. An advanced search allows you to limit a search to certain fields, subjects or resource types.

• Use OR, NOT and AND. Sometimes known as Boolean Searching, using or, not, and can help to refine your searches.
• Phrase searching. Adding Quotes to your search terms limits a search to the exact phrase.
• Use a wildcard (*). Using a wildcard (*) allows you to search the Encyclopedia using part of a word. Use an asterisk (*) to indicate a truncated search term. For example: law* will retrieve a range of results including lawyer and lawyers.

• Check your spelling! Have you made any typos?
• Have you narrowed your search too much? Are you searching for a particular resource type or in a particular subject area? Try a new search.
• Try expanding your search through our search engine.
• Are you being too specific? Try a search based on a broader subject term (e.g. searching for a type of literature rather than an authorÂ’s name). Or, try browsing by subject.

• Narrow your search – use our advanced search to search by a particular resource type, field (e.g. title) or subject area.
• Try different search terms – are you being too general?. Use wildcards, or Boolean searching.

Our Legal Research Guides are designed to help you improve your Internet research skills.

All resources have been evaluated against our selection criteria and collection development policy. A resource in the Intute catalogue will be:

Useful and relevant. We take into account a resourceÂ’s:

• Purpose and audience.
• Authority and reputation, including the authorÂ’s affiliation and evidence of external citation (such as links to the site)
• Accuracy of the information presented. Which sources used and cited
• Originality in content or presentation
• Comprehensive coverage and depth of information
• Bias
• Clarity of presentation and navigation
• Ease of use and Accessibility
• Design and layout, use of technology and recognised standards
• User support and documentation
• Terms and conditions of use
• How up to date the content is
• How long lasting a resource is likely to be

In general we wouldnÂ’t include:

• Resources which contravene the law or promote illegal activity
• Lists of links with little or no annotation
• Resources designed solely for the marketing, advertising and sale of commercial products
• University department home pages which do not contain significant online resources beyond simple course descriptions, staff directories, and links
• AcademicsÂ’ home pages that do not contain significant online resources beyond CVs, publication lists, and details of current research/teaching
• Personal home pages created by and about that individual and consisting of mainly personal details

More about FAQs in Resources

• Tagging FAQs
• Trending Keyword Tag FAQs Resource
• Searching and Browsing FAQs Resource
• Our Collection Resource FAQs