Welcome to your legal research primer! This guide is designed to introduce you to the fundamental concepts and tools of legal research, equipping you with the skills necessary to navigate the vast legal landscape as a first-year law student.

Throughout this primer, we will explore various research methods, including:

• Primary sources: These are the original legal authorities, such as statutes, cases, and regulations.
• Secondary sources: These are materials that analyze or explain primary sources, such as legal treatises, law review articles, and legal encyclopedias.
• Legal databases: These online resources provide access to primary and secondary sources, allowing you to efficiently search and retrieve relevant information.

By the end of this primer, you will have a solid understanding of the legal research process and be able to conduct effective legal research on your own

A glossary of legal research terms is available here: https://wcl.american.libguides.com/glossary