~BN10~DX10~NP0~PX1~SN1~IL~TX1000~BX4000~BK1~SP~SSIntroduction to LEXIS« 101~
~DNWelcome to the LEXIS«-NEXIS« services. In the next 30 minutes you will learn what you need to know to begin to use the LEXIS-NEXIS services. The CONTENTS screen button (located in the lower right corner of your screen) provides a list of available topics.
You may work through all of the topics or you may simply select the specific topic(s) you want to use.
~
~BN15~DX12~NP0~PX3~SN1~IL~TX1000~BX3000~BK1~SP0~SSIntroduction to LEXIS« 101~
~DNLEXIS-NEXIS helps you succeed as you face the challenges in today's legal, business, government, and international environments. LEXIS-NEXIS offers integrated solutions tailored to meet your specific information requirements.
~
~BN120~DX20~NP0~PX5~SN1~IL~TX1200~BX4200~BK1~SP~SSIntroduction to LEXIS« 101~
~DNToday (as of mid-1995) there are more than 4,000 full-text online resources in the ever-expanding LEXIS-NEXIS services.
The LEXIS« legal resources cover information from 18th century U.S. Supreme Court decisions through the latest verdicts. Additionally, there are files for beginning your search with secondary materials.
The NEXIS« service, introduced in 1979, includes news, corporate, financial, industry, regulatory, and government information sources from around the world.
~
~BN160~DX60~NP0~PX18~SN5~IL~TX1200~BX4200~BK1~SP~SSSelecting Where to Search~
~DNThe information in the LEXIS-NEXIS services is organized into libraries. Each library contains related material for a specific area of research.
Within each LEXIS-NEXIS library are files.
The general federal library, GENFED, contains federal cases and other federal materials.
The MEGAÖ library contains both federal and state case law.
~
~BN165~DX65~NP0~PX12~SN6~IL~TX1200~BX4200~BK1~SP~SSSelecting Where to Search~
~DNThe CODES library contains statutes of a particular jurisdiction.
The STATES library contains case law and other materials from the 50 united states and District of Columbia, as well as materials for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A library is divided into files. Files are selected after you identify a library. Each file contains documents. A file is the smallest grouping of documents on the LEXIS service.
~
~BN170~DX70~NP0~PX13~SN7~IL~TX1200~BX4200~BK1~SP~SSSelecting Where to Search~
~DNThink of the LEXIS-NEXIS services as a filing cabinet. Each drawer in the filing cabinet represents a library in the LEXIS-NEXIS services. For instance, one drawer in the LEXIS-NEXIS services' filing cabinet is the GENFED library.
A single folder in the filing cabinet drawer represents a file in the library in the LEXIS service; for instance, the U.S. file in the GENFED library.
~
~BN180~DX80~NP0~PX11~SN1~IL~TX1200~BX4200~BK1~SP0~SSSelecting Where to Search~
~DNA document contains an individual case, statute, article, rule, or record. Each document in a file represents an individual set of papers.
LEXIS-NEXIS
Services ----------> filing cabinet
Library ------------> drawer in filing cabinet
File -----------------> folder in drawer
Document --------> set of papers in folder
For help with online source selection, use the online GUIDE library or printed LEXIS-NEXIS reference material.
~
~BN185~DX85~NP0~PX7~SN1~IL~TX1200~BX4200~BK1~SP0~SSSelecting Where to Search~
~DNAt this time, you can consult with the CONTENTS screen for other exercises or continue with the next section, Sign On && LEXIS Search Examples.
Press: <contents> to go to that screen.
Press: <forward> to continue with
Sign On && LEXIS Search Example.
(This concludes the Selecting Where to Search section.)
~
~BN2205~DX205~NP0~PX20~SN15~ILL12345N~TX1200~BX4200~BK1~SP~SSSign On && LEXIS Search Examples~
~DNNow that you have learned about the LEXIS services, libraries, files, and documents, you are ready to sign on and do some searches.
In this section, you will sign on with an ID number, view the many areas of the libraries, and perform a sample search. You will see how using LEXIS-NEXIS connectors, date indicators, and the exclamation mark (!) can help you in your search requests. You will also learn to use dot commands to display your search results, manipulate your search data, and navigate through the online service.~
~DNWhen your terminal/PC connects to the LEXIS-NEXIS services, your screen display will look like the one above. You are asked to type your identification number. Your personal ID number is the 7-character alpha/numeric LEXIS-NEXIS ID number.
Type: L12345N <enter>.
~
~BN2215~DX215~NP0~PX0~SN25~IL~TX0~BX0~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNThe Client Screen displays after you enter your ID number. The Client Screen serves two functions: (1) displays LEXIS-NEXIS product announcements and frequently offers a sample search for new material online and (2) asks you to identify your client or matter for your current research session.
~
~BN2216~DX216~NP0~PX0~SN25~IL~TX0~BX0~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNIf you work for a law firm, corporation, or government office, you may be required to identify your research. At the Client Screen, type up to 32 characters that identifies your research session. Note: what you type displays in the upper left corner of the screen you are viewing.
~DNThis is the first of two screens of libraries on the LEXIS-NEXIS services that displays after you enter your client/matter research name. The first libraries' screen presents topical areas: General Legal, Public Records, Helps, Financial, NEXIS, Area of Law, and Medical.
Type: .NP <enter>.
~
~BN2220~DX220~NP0~PX0~SN35~IL~TX0~BX0~BK2~SP0~SS~
~DNThis is the second screen of LEXIS-NEXIS libraries: Individual States, International Law, News, French Language, and International News. Note: The LEXIS-NEXIS subscription you have determines the LEXIS-NEXIS libraries available to you. All libraries listed here may not display on your own PC screen.
~DNIf you need information about a library or help with selecting a library, use the online GUIDE library. Now we will proceed through a sample search. In this example we will use the GENFED (general federal) library.
~DNTo select a file, type the name of the file and press the ENTER key. In this example, we will use COURTS (federal courts' decisions) file.
Type: COURTS <enter>.
~
~BN2240~DX240~NP0~PX0~SN45~IL~TX0~BX0~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNAssume your research topic is to find federal case law dated after 1993 that discusses employment discrimination against the physically handicapped.
Think of the key words or phrases that describe your research topic.
~
~BN2245~DX245~NP0~PX0~SN45~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNWhen you construct a Boolean search request in the LEXIS-NEXIS services, your words or phrases must be joined by LEXIS-NEXIS connectors. Connectors join search words or phrases, establishing a logical relationship between the words or phrases.
The three more commonly used LEXIS-NEXIS connectors are: OR, W/n, AND.
~
~BN2250~DX250~NP0~PX0~SN45~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNOR - finds either or both search words in the same document.
Example: "doctor OR physician" finds either word in the same document.
~
~BN2255~DX255~NP0~PX0~SN45~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNW/n - finds both search words in the same document within n (where n = 1-255) words of each other.
Example: "market W/5 share" finds documents that contain market within five words of share.~
~BN2256~DX256~NP0~PX0~SN45~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNAND - finds both search words anywhere in the same document, no matter how close or far apart, and does not specify word order.
Example: "bank AND deregulate" finds both words somewhere in the same document.
~
~BN2260~DX260~NP0~PX0~SN45~ILdate aft 1993 AND employ! W/15 discriminat! W/25 physical! handicap!~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNEnter your search request to find federal court decisions dated after 1993 that discuss employment discrimination against the physically handicapped.
Type: date aft 1993 AND employ! W/15 discriminat! W/25
physical! handicap! <enter>.~
~BN2262~DX262~NP0~PX0~SN50~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNThe exclamation mark (!) placed after the root of a word allows the word to be found with all possible endings.
The date indicator specifies the year time frame for the documents you want to retrieve (year; month and year; or month, day, and year). Date indicators include "aft" for after a particular date, "bef" for before a particular date, and "is" for a specific date.~
~BN2265~DX265~NP0~PX0~SN55~IL~TX0~BX0~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNWhile the search request is processed, the message on the screen tells you that "LEXIS (or NEXIS) is working on the displayed request."
You are then informed that the LEXIS (or NEXIS) service has found x (where x indicates a number) cases (stories, articles). In this example 27 cases were found.
~DNThere are five basic formats for viewing or printing your search results: KWICÖ (.KW); FULL (.FU); CITE (.CI); VAR KWIC (.VK); and SEGMTS (.SE). In all the formats except CITE, the system highlights your search words.
~DNThis is the first screen of the first document retrieved with the sample search request. The display format is KWIC, which displays 25 words on either side of the search terms.
To view the retrieved documents in the CITE format, use the dot command for CITE, .CI.
Type: .CI <enter>.~
~BN2269~DX269~NP0~PX0~SN65~IL~TX0~BX0~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNThe CITE format displays the citations or bibliographic references of the documents retrieved. Refer to your hardcopy LEXIS-NEXIS resource for an explanation of the remaining three display formats.~
~DNThe FOCUSÖ feature allows you to search for additional terms or issues within the documents retrieved with your initial search request. To invoke the FOCUS feature, type .FO and press the ENTER key.
Type: .FO <enter>.
~
~BN2275~DX275~NP0~PX0~SN70~ILreasonable OR acceptable W/5 accommodations OR facility~TX0~BX0~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNTo find references to "reasonable or acceptable accommodations or facilities" within the documents retrieved on discrimination against the physically handicaped, enter your request at the FOCUS search request screen.
~DNThis FOCUS search retrieved six documents as a subset of the 27 documents retrieved with the original search. View these documents in the KWIC (Key Words in Context) format display.
Type: .KW <enter>.
~
~BN2285~DX285~NP0~PX0~SN80~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNThis is the first screen of the first of the six documents that displays the FOCUS search terms retrieved with the FOCUS search. Selecting the KWIC display format allows you to quickly scan the text for pertinent information.~
~BN2290~DX290~NP0~PX0~SN80~IL.EF~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNWhen you exit the FOCUS feature, you return to the screen of text you were viewing when you invoked the FOCUS feature (one of the documents retrieved with the original search request). Exit the FOCUS feature.
Type: .EF <enter>.~
~BN2300~DX300~NP0~PX0~SN245~IL~TX~BX~BK1~SP~SSSign On && LEXIS Search Examples~
~DNLEXIS-NEXIS dot commands allow you to issue recognized commands during your research session. You've already seen examples of dot commands in the exercises given:
.NP for next page
.KW for the KWIC display format
.CI for the CITE display format
.FO for the FOCUS feature
.EF to exit the FOCUS feature.
~
~BN2305~DX305~NP0~PX0~SN245~IL~TX~BX~BK1~SP~SSSign On && LEXIS Search Examples~
~DNYou can use dot commands to manipulate the data you retrieve. Other options for data manipulation include:
- If you are using LEXIS-NEXIS Research
Software, you can press the function key(s)
on your computer's keyboard to execute
commands in the LEXIS-NEXIS services.
- With Research Software designed for
WindowsÖ or Macintosh«, you can use a
mouse to click commands for pull-down
menus or function buttons.
~
~BN2310~DX310~NP0~PX0~SN245~IL~TX~BX~BK1~SP~SSSign On && LEXIS Search Examples~
~DNThe dot commands that provide you with basic online navigation are:
New search -------> .NS Change file ---->.CF
Change library ---> .CI Sign off --------->.SO
Next page of current document ----------> .NP
Skip # (1-999) pages forward ------------> .NP#
Previous page of current document ----> .PP
Skip # (1-999) pages backward ----------> .PP#
First page of current document ---------> .FP
Next document --------------------------------> .ND
Skip # (1-999) documents forward ------> .ND#
Previous document --------------------------> .PD
Skip # (1-999) documents backward----> .PD#
~
~BN2315~DX315~NP0~PX20~SN255~ILresume lexis~TX~BX~BK1~SP~SSSign On && LEXIS Search Examples~
~DNAt this time, you can consult with the CONTENTS screen for other exercises or continue with the next section, the SHEPARD'S« service.
Press: <contents> to go to that screen.
Press: <forward> to continue with
SHEPARD'S.
(This concludes the Sign On && LEXIS Search Examples section.)
~DNSHEPARD'S Citations Service is a well-known research tool for determining the continuing validity of legal authorities. It is the only service that provides the comprehensive history and treatment coverage necessary to verify the status of cases.
SHEPARD'S Citations Service, covering approximately 600 reporters, is organized in Series and Divisions. These Series and Divisions cover federal case law; case law for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico; administrative agencies; patents; and law reviews.
~DNSHEPARD'S Citations Service online is an efficient case verification research tool that can save you time.
When you enter the citation for a case, SHEPARD'S provides you with a list of references to reported cases and other documents that have cited the requested case.
~BN3025~DX325~NP0~PX0~SN385~ILshep 465 us 624~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNYou can choose the SHEPARD'S Citations Service at any point in your research. To SHEPARDIZE a case, for example, Consolidated Rail Corporation v. Darrone, 465 U.S. 624, type shep 465 us 624 and press the ENTER key. (If you are currently viewing the case you want to SHEPARDIZE, type shep and press the ENTER key.)
Type: shep 465 us 624 <enter>.
~
~BN3030~DX330~NP0~PX0~SN390~IL1~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNTo see the text of a citing case in the list, type the citing reference number, for example 1, and press the ENTER key. You can then display the text of the selected case in the display format of your choice.
Type: 1 <enter>.~
~BN3035~DX3135~NP0~PX0~SN395~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNTo review the SHEPARD'S report(s), use the display commands such as .NP (NEXT PAGE), .PP (PREVIOUS PAGE), and .ND (NEXT DOCUMENT).
Be sure to check all the SHEPARD'S documents you retrieve. There is a separate document for each Series your search request retrieves.
~
~BN3040~DX340~NP0~PX0~SN390~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNTo check another case in SHEPARD'S, type its citation and press the ENTER key.
To exit the SHEPARD'S Citations Service and return to your previous research, type .ES (EXIT SERVICE) and press the ENTER key.
~DNThe Auto-Cite service, the electronic citation verification service of Lawyers Cooperative Publishing, verifies the accuracy of virtually any case or administrative law citation and ALR« and LE2d articles.
Auto-Cite covers more than 400 reporters including official and unofficial state and federal reporters and services.
~
~BN4005~DX405~NP0~PX2~SN245~IL~TX2000~BX4500~BK1~SP~SSAuto-Cite« Service~ ~DNWhen you enter the citation for a case (or other document) in the Auto-Cite service, Auto-Cite will list:
- the name of the case and its official citation
in Bluebook format.
- the year of decision and jurisdiction.
- the parallel citations in Bluebook format.
- appellate history (prior or subsequent) of
the case.
- treatment history of the case.
- identification of cases to which your case
makes negative reference.
- ALR or LE2d articles that have cited the case.
~
~BN4010~DX410~NP0~PX0~SN15~ILac 468 us 897~TX0~BX0~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNYou can use the Auto-Cite service from any point in your research. To check a case, for example, U.S. v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897 (1984), type ac 468 us 897 and press the ENTER key. If you are already viewing this case, invoke the Auto-Cite feature typing ac and pressing the ENTER key.
~DNThis is the Auto-Cite document retrieved when you entered the citation 468 U.S. 897. The presentation shown here is the outline format. The paragraph presentation format is also available in Auto-Cite.~
~DNYou can specify either of the presentation formats with your Auto-Cite search request. For example, acp 410 us 343 displays the text in the paragraph format and aco 410 us 343 displays the text in the outline format.
~DNIf you are already viewing one of the formats, you can switch to the other format. For example, type acp and press the ENTER key to view the paragraph format and type aco and press the ENTER key to view the outline format.
Type: acp <enter>.
~
~BN4030~DX430~NP0~PX0~SN410~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNThis is the same Auto-Cite document displayed in the paragraph format.
~
~BN4035~DX435~NP0~PX0~SN410~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNTo exit the Auto-Cite service and return to your previous research, type .ES (EXIT SERVICE) and press the ENTER key. Or you can type resume followed by the name of the service you were using. For example, you could type resume lexis and press the ENTER key.
~DNThe LEXSEE feature is a citation-based, full-text retrieval service that is available on the LEXIS service. Many types of documents can be retrieved with the LEXSEE feature including case law (primary sources), American Law Reports, Jurisprudence, law reviews (secondary sources), and agency materials (including selected IRS publications).
~
~BN5010~DX510~NP0~PX0~SN45~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNYou do not choose a library and a file when you use the LEXSEE feature. And when using this feature you lose your search results or the documents you retrieved prior to invoking the LEXSEE feature.~
~DNThe LEXSEE feature displays the full text of your requested document. Other display formats are not optional.
~
~BN5030~DX530~NP0~PX0~SN45~ILlexsee 401 us 424, *431~TX0~BX0~BK2~SP0~SS~
~DNTo request that the LEXSEE feature displays a particular page of the cited document, enter the citation and specify that particular page in your citation. For example, display page 431 of the case cited at 401 U.S. 424.
~DNTo exit the LEXSEE feature and return to your previous research, type .ES (EXIT SERVICE) and press the ENTER key. Or you can type resume followed by the name of the service you were using. For example, you could type resume lexis and press the ENTER key.
~DNThe LEXSTAT feature locates a particular federal or state statute when you have the citation for that statute section.
The LEXSTAT feature allows you to retrieve the full text of the statute section without choosing a library and file and without losing your search results or the documents you were viewing.
You can retrieve only one document at a time using the LEXSTAT feature. Multiple requests must be entered individually.
~DNYou can use the CITE and SEGMTS formats to view documents retrieved with the LEXSTAT feature, but not the KWIC or VAR KWIC formats.
~
~BN6030~DX630~NP0~PX0~SN600~ILb~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNThe LEXSTAT feature is very precise, giving you only the section of the code that you request. You can browse (b) adjacent sections of the code to better understand the implications of a code section.
Type: b <enter>.
~
~BN6040~DX640~NP0~PX0~SN610~IL~TX~BX~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNWhen using the BROWSE feature, sections automatically display in the FULL format. You can also view in the CITE or SEGMTS mode. The KWIC or VAR KWIC modes are not available with the BROWSE feature.
~
~BN6050~DX650~NP0~PX0~SN610~IL~TX0~BX0~BK2~SP~SS~
~DNTo exit the LEXSTAT feature and return to your previous search, type .ES (EXIT SERVICE) and press the ENTER key.
~DNAs you research, you are likely to find documents that you want to print or save to disk. The LEXIS-NEXIS software you have installed, or the communications program you use to sign on, determines whether you use the dot commands, pull-down menus, or the function keys for the print functions and print formats you select. In this module we will teach the dot commands, which are abbreviations preceeded by a dot (i.e. period) that represent the print functions and print formats entered at the screen prompt.
In print services, several terms are used to explain the printing process. Printing can refer to output to a LEXIS-NEXIS dedicated printer, download to an attached printer or disk file, and other document delivery methods.~
~DNYou have been given the assignment to research a case about a man named Miles and his cat. You sign on to the LEXIS-NEXIS services and begin your search. However, as is typically true of researchers, you are called away from the computer to attend a meeting.
You decide to print the documents in the KWIC print format, with enough text from each case to judge its relevance and value, and review them during a break. Later, you can sign on again, resume your search, and print the case documents you want.
~DNTo search for Mr. Miles and his cat, you will use the key words Miles and cat. You will also request that the key words be within three words of each other.
~DNYour search has found six cases in Level 1. You could display them now, but you do not have time! Instead, you will print narrow portions of the documents.
First, you will use the Go Docs dot command to send your documents to a dedicated printer.~
~DNGo Docs also defers printing until the end of a research session when you sign off. After you enter the Go Docs dot command, the screen refreshes and the command line clears.
~DNListed are the five Print Formats. You will choose the KWIC format to print text blocks of 25 words on each side of the search terms. Each occurrence of the word results in a printed KWIC block.
~DNIf you wanted to further narrow the documents for delivery, you could specify the document number(s) in the SEL option. The document number refers to its order in relation to the other case documents in the same search.
You will skip this option and print all six case documents.
~DNYou want the search terms to print in bold or italic (option 1) and underlined (option 2). In this example, you will change option number 3, Embedded Legal Cites, to NO.
~DNYour time is limited, so you will not display the documents in this session. Your documents are ready to print when you sign off, which you can do from any screen in the LEXIS-NEXIS services.
~DNYou want LEXIS-NEXIS to save your research and make it available to you when you sign on again. Your research will be saved until 2:00 A.M. Eastern Time tomorrow morning.
~DNThe Go Docs dot command queued the printing until sign off and now the program wants to know if you are ready to print. You could defer the printing (document delivery) for 24 hours, but you choose to print now.
~DNYou can choose to print to your local printer and/or save the document(s) to a disk file.
The Local Printer choice is checked. With the mouse, press the <OK> button to print your documents. If you do not have an attached printer, press <forward>.
~DNAfter the download to printer or disk, the Research Session Summary screen is displayed. Signoff is now complete. Continue the hands-on exercise for your second session by pressing the <enter> key.
~DNIn the next exercise, you have signed on to the LEXIS-NEXIS services and want to resume your previous research. You reviewed the six KWIC case print outs and decided you need a hard-copy print of case document 4.
You could print from the search request summary screen after you sign on, but this exercise is designed to demonstrate how to navigate through the other print functions and print formats. ~
~DNLEXIS-NEXIS displays your previous search request information. You cannot request to display case four from this screen, but you can display the first case in FULL and then request case four.
~DNFrom this screen, case four of six, enter the Go Docs dot command to defer the printing until signoff. After entering Go Docs, the screen flashes and clears the command line.
~DN The Print All (.PA) dot command prints all the search documents. You will use the Print Doc (.PR) dot command to print the current document in FULL. (.PR uses the display format as the print format default.)
~DNYour request to print document four in FULL is displayed in the status lines. You will check the print enhancement option (OPT) for possible changes and review the page option (PAG).
~DNThe program displays the print formats from your last session. You want to print the search terms in bold or italic and underlined. You are finished checking the enhanced print options.
~DNYour document is first in the queue and is "Waiting."
From this screen you can Update (refresh Print Manager screen), Cancel Print (Jobs), Restart (LEXIS-NEXIS) Printer, ask for Help, and Exit (quit Print Manager).~
~DNEight pages with 339 lines is more information than you want. A variable KWIC text length of 50 words on either side of the search criteria may be as beneficial. (When viewing documents, you can display variable text lengths and determine what variable is best suited to print your research.)
~DNYou could return to case four, enter the VAR KWIC print format, and request Print Doc again. But you can enter the Print Functions here. Print All is a good choice, because it allows you to choose the VAR KWIC print format and select document four.
