Not Just Key Numbers and Keywords Anymore: How User Interface Design Affects Legal Research

Jones, Julie

Abstract

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Not Just Key Numbers and Keywords Anymore: How User Interface Design Affects Legal Research

Julie M. Jones

University of Connecticut School or Law

February 7, 2009

Law Library Journal, Vol. 101, No. 1, pp. 7-30, 2009

Abstract:
Legal research is one of the foundational skills for the practice of law. Yet law school graduates are frequently admitted to the bar without adequate competence in this area. Applying both information-foraging theory and current standards for optimal web design, Ms. Jones considers, through a heuristic analysis, whether the user interfaces of Westlaw and LexisNexis help or hinder the process of legal research and the development of effective research skills.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 24

Keywords: legal research, information-foraging, user interfaces, Lexis, LexisNexis, Westlaw, research skills, law school graduates, lawyer competence

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Date posted: February 7, 2009

Suggested Citation

Jones, Julie M., Not Just Key Numbers and Keywords Anymore: How User Interface Design Affects Legal Research (February 7, 2009). Law Library Journal, Vol. 101, No. 1, pp. 7-30, 2009. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1339228

Contact Information

Julie M. Jones (Contact Author)

University of Connecticut School or Law ( email )

39 Elizabeth Street
Hartford, CT 06105
United States