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Introduction to Legal Research

This guide is an introduction to legal research at the University of Melbourne. This guide is intended for law students in the JD, MLM , Breadth programs who are new to legal research. Students in other disciplines who may need to conduct legal research

Welcome to the Introduction to Legal Research Online Modules

This guide includes an introduction to legal research along with a series of online modules to help you hone your legal research skills. Use the menu on the left to navigate to these modules. At the end of each module there is a quiz where you can test your knowledge. Before you get started, see the research tips below. 

Tips to Get Started 

1. Use the Law Library website as your starting point for research

We have taken the difficult task of knowing which resources are available to you by providing links to key resources on the Law Library website, such as:

2. Plan your research at the start and track your progress as you go

The Law Library has developed a research plan which you can use and modify to suit your needs. 

3. In planning your research, think about keywords relevant to your topic

Use dictionaries and encyclopaedias to find synonyms or alternative terms and gain a better understanding of your research topic.

4. Develop search statements with your keywords

Connect the keywords you have brainstormed using search operators such as Boolean. View the University Library's short video on building a better search strategy for tips.  

5. If you still need help

The Law Liaison Librarians can assist with in-depth research assistance, reference management and more. Contact the Law Library via email law-library@unimelb.edu.au