Westlaw (Campus Research)

Attention: Pop-up blocking software may need to be disabled to properly access and print items from this database.  Follow these instructions to disable many common pop-up blockers if access to Westlaw is not allowed.

The Westlaw Campus Research database contains federal and all state court cases and statutes (laws).  It also includes the Federal Register, the Code of Federal Regulations, and legal reference materials such as American Jurisprudence, journals, and law reviews.

Westlaw may be accessed from any computer on the APSU campus network or from off-campus by APSU faculty, staff, and students.

See instructions below for information on How to Print documents from Westlaw.

How To Search Westlaw Campus Research

The first screen that appears when searching Westlaw contains the terms of usage.  Before you begin searching the Westlaw database, you must read and agree to Westlaw's terms of usage.  At the bottom of this screen, make sure that the <Agree> button is selected and then click <Go>.

NOTE:  You may return to the search screen at any time by clicking the <Home> button at the top of the screen.

To Search by Subject

In the Quick Search box, select a search method, either Natural Language or Terms and Connectors.  The best method to use, unless you are an advanced user of Westlaw, is Natural Language because it allows you to use plain English.  Type your search in the Search for text box.  You may use a term(s), phrase or question to describe your search.

Example:  flag burning
Example:  flag burning free speech
Example:  is flag burning constitutionally protected free speech

After you have entered your search in the Quick Search box, you must select a database to search.  You may search cases (state,  federal or Supreme Court); statutes and legislative materials (state or federal); or encyclopedias or legal journals.  You may search only one database at a time.  When you have selected the database for your search, go back to the Quick Search box and click the <Go> button to perform your search.

To Search by Citation or Case Name

If you know the citation number or  title (names of the parties involved) of a document, you may search it directly in the Find a Document box.

Example:  42 usca 1983 retrieves Title 43, section 1983 of the United States Code Annotated (for a citation)

Example:  bush v. gore retrieves documents relating to this case (for a title)

To Search within a Broad Category

You may also search for cases using the KeySearch feature.  KeySearch is a powerful search feature that allows you to search broad categories such as Administrative Law, Civil Procedure, Intellectual Property and many others that are arranged in a hierarchical structure.  KeySearch lets you search all topics and subtopics for a specific term or terms.  For example:  you could search all of the subtopics of Intellectual Property such as Music, Entertainment, or Plagiarism for the term copyright.  To use KeySearch, click the <Go> button in the KeySearch box.

Legal Guides & Famous Documents

General Legal Guides on different types of law and several Famous Documents such as the U.S. Constitution are available on the main search page.  To access this information, click on the appropriate link in the gray box on the left side of the search screen.

To Display Items

The information you retrieve will vary depending on the database you searched.  You can retrieve the full text of cases; statutes and legislative materials; and encyclopedias and legal journals.  The number of documents you retrieve after your search will display at the bottom of your screen and you may move between documents using the blue arrow buttons.  The first document in your list will automatically be displayed.

To Print

For More Information

Please use the Using Westlaw Campus search guide for more detailed search instructions, especially for searching by Terms and Connectors or using KeySearch.

To Exit

When you have completed your search in Westlaw Campus, please log off using the <Sign Off> button in the top right corner of the screen.