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November 19, 2007
Say Hello to Westlaw's New Key Numbers Tool
Online searching for cases using West Key Numbers just got easier, much easier (and isn't it about time). Check out the new West Key Number link located on the top of the Westlaw display. Details at Marie S. Newman, Something New on Westlaw, Out of the Jungle, and Sue Altmeyer, Westlaw Key Numbers Come Out of Hiding, CM Law Library Blog. Or check this month's West Librarian Relations Update, which, obviously, I haven't read yet. [JH]
November 19, 2007 in Legal Research | Permalink
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Comments
I would add to Pat's wish list:
1. Put the Descriptive Word Index online.
2. Use less confusing terminology. I spent weeks teaching my 1Ls that Topics and Keynumbers work together. To call the whole thing just a "keynumber" adds to confusion.
Posted by: Dorie | Nov 27, 2007 4:58:20 PM
What would be really nice is if Westlaw would drop the stupid numberic code for the topics and make the topic and key number look just like it does in the print reporters. For example, look at the 1st headnote in the case City of Key West v. Knowles, 948 So.2d 58 (Fla. Ct. App 2007). In the Southern Reporter, it is Civil Rights key number 1004; however, on Westlaw the same headnote looks like this:
78 Civil Rights
78I Rights Protected and Discrimination Prohibited in General
78k1002 Constitutional and Statutory Provisions
78k1004 k. Purpose and Construction in General. Most Cited Cases
Why does Westlaw continue to put that stupid numeric code (78) for the topic of Civil Rights? In addition, why are there a total of 7 hypertext links for the first headnote in that case? This is just too confusing for non-power users.
Posted by: pat | Nov 19, 2007 10:44:14 AM
