Lexis and Westlaw

Digests: West Key Number System

The West digest system, a powerful case-finding tool across jurisdictions, is accessible via Westlaw.  The most common way to access key numbers is from the headnotes of a case, but you can also browse and search the key number system from the Content Types tab in the main search page. Click on the Key Numbers link

Tools & Resources

When you're looking at a particular document or browsing a particular database in Westlaw, you will see left and right columns that provide filters and other tools, listing finding aids and secondary sources to further your research.  This might include the index to the document you're browsing, or other related secondary sources.

Browsing

In addition to running keyword searches to begin your research, Westlaw offers several browsing options, broken down by content type, federal materials, state materials, Practice Areas, and Tools. This browsing capability is an excellent way to get a feel for what Westlaw has to offer.

Westlaw is designed so that you can run any search simply from the main search bar and filter your results afterwards (by content type, jurisdiction, date, etc.).  The only pre-search filter available is jurisdiction, from the drop-down menu to the right of the search bar.  Within that main search bar, you can run a keyword search, search by citation, search for a specific resource, or natural language searching, including asking questions and getting AI-generated answers.

Westlaw also gives you the option to conduct an advanced search by clicking the 'advanced' link near the search button at the right.  This allows you greater control over how your search will be conducted.  For instance, you can require that your search results contain all of your search terms, any of your search terms, or an exact phrase.  You can also ensure that certain terms are excluded from your search results.  In addition, the Advanced Search allows you to restrict results by date and search by citation, name, or title. 

Two things to note here:

• By utilizing the Westlaw Connectors and Expanders you can run advanced searches from the main search bar.
  •  The Connectors and Expanders can be viewed by clicking on 'advanced' in Westlaw or by looking at the table on the last page of this guide, Constructing Searches.
• The Advanced Search features change if you search within a specific Westlaw database, for instance Secondary Sources.