The Legal Research Plan and the Research Log: An Examination of the Role of the Research Plan and Research Log in the Research Process. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Osborne, Caroline L.
• Is Part Of: Legal reference services quarterly. Volume 35:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 179
• Page End: 194
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: research plan -- research log -- legal research -- elements of a research plan -- research strategy -- strategy -- research process -- legal analysis; Legal research -- United States -- Periodicals; 340.072073
• DOI: 10.1080/0270319X.2016.1227205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0270-319X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A new associate exits the office of Senior Partner with a research assignment. She returns to her office, sits down at the keyboard, pulls up her favorite search engine, and begins typing in keywords. This is the usual start to a research project by a novice researcher. This process may result in an answer; however, it is usually little more than an answer. The average attorney jumps into a research question without thinking. 1 This article discusses the basic elements of a legal research plan, recommends designs of research plans, and identifies the role of the research log in the research process.