Search Query Order Explained

Summary

The order of operations for search queries on Westlaw and Lexis can differ. Typically, connectors within parentheses operate first, followed by OR, and then sentence connectors like /S. Proper formulation of search queries is crucial for retrieving accurate results. Using parentheses ensures correct grouping, and truncation with an exclamation mark (!) captures word variations. On Lexis, phrases should be enclosed in quotation marks to avoid misinterpretation. Understanding these rules helps in conducting effective legal research across both platforms.

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You want to run a terms and connectors search that works on both Westlaw and Lexis. For each question, choose which search is correctly formulated. You would like to retrieve all documents that contain either: blind! and pedestrian sightless and pedestrian Answer A: blind! OR sightless AND pedestrian Answer B: blind! OR (sightless AND pedestrian)
The correct choice is Answer B: blind! OR (sightless AND pedestrian).
This formulation correctly uses parentheses to ensure that the search retrieves documents containing either "blind!" or both "sightless" and "pedestrian" together, which is likely what you're aiming for with the search.
You would like to retrieve all documents that contain either: blind! sightless impaired vision, vision impairment, vision that is impaired, etc. Answer A: blind! OR sightless OR vision /* impair! Answer B: blind! OR sightless OR (vision /* impair!)
Answer B: "blind! OR sightless OR (vision /* impair!)" is the correct choice.
This formulation ensures that the search retrieves documents containing "blind!", "sightless", or instances where "vision" and "impair!" are within five words of each other, which captures variations like "impaired vision" or "vision impairment".
You would like to retrieve all documents about a pedestrian who is blind, sightless, or has a vision impairment. Answer A: blind! OR sightless OR (vision /* impair!) /S pedestrian Answer B: blind! OR sightless OR vision /* impair! /S pedestrian
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For the search query about documents related to a pedestrian who is blind, sightless, or has a vision impairment, Answer A is the correct choice. It uses parentheses to ensure that "vision" and "impair!" are within five words of each other before being in the same sentence as "pedestrian," giving more precise results.
Do you have any other legal questions or need further clarification?
You want to run a terms and connectors search that works on both Westlaw and Lexis. You would like to retrieve all cases involving a murder committed for money. You have decided to use the following as alternatives for money: inherit!, insur!, as well as financial! within a few words of gain. Which search is correctly formulated? murder! /P money OR inherit! OR insur! OR financial! /* gain! murder! /P money OR inherit! OR insur! OR (financial! /* gain!)
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The correct search formulation for retrieving cases involving a murder committed for money, using the alternatives for money, is:
murder! /P money OR inherit! OR insur! OR (financial! /* gain!)
This formulation ensures that financial terms are within five words of "gain" and maintains proper grouping for accurate results.
You want to run a terms and connectors search that works on both Westlaw and Lexis. You would like to retrieve cases about a police dog biting a fleeing suspect. police OR officer /S dog OR canine /P flee! OR run! /S suspect (police OR officer) /S (dog OR canine) /P flee! OR run! /S suspect Will these searches operate in the same way and retrieve the same results? After you answer this question, let's return to the main menu and go to the next section. No. The ORs in the parentheses cause the search to operate differently. Yes. The ORs operate first anyway so the addition of parentheses doesn't change the search.
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Yes, the ORs operate first anyway, so the addition of parentheses doesn't change the search. Both searches will function similarly and retrieve the same results.
Choose True or False for each question. When you finish these questions, return to the main menu and go to the next section. The following search will be recognized as a terms and connector search on Westlaw and Lexis: police /* dog AND "police brutality" true false
The statement "The following search will be recognized as a terms and connector search on Westlaw and Lexis: police /* dog AND 'police brutality'" is True.
This search uses connectors (/* and AND) that are recognized by both Westlaw and Lexis for terms and connectors searches.
true false You can click on a link to open an advanced search box on Westlaw and Lexis.
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The answer to the question "true false You can click on a link to open an advanced search box on Westlaw and Lexis" is True. Both platforms offer advanced search options, usually accessible through links or menus within their interfaces. If you have more questions or need further legal information, feel free to ask!
To make sure you can run searches that work the same on Westlaw and Lexis, let's review the differences one last time. Choose True or False for each question. To avoid having to remember Westlaw/Lexis differences, you can follow these three rules so your searches will work on both systems. *. Type in ORs between alternative terms (dog OR canine) *. Type phrases in quotation marks ("police dog") *. Type nouns in the singular (dog) true or false
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The statement regarding ensuring searches work the same on Westlaw and Lexis is generally True. By following these rules, you can create searches that are compatible with both systems:
*. Type in ORs between alternative terms (dog OR canine).
*. Type phrases in quotation marks ("police dog").
*. Type nouns in the singular (dog).
true or false
To answer the final true or false question:
The statement regarding ensuring searches work the same on Westlaw and Lexis is generally True. By following the listed rules, you can create searches that are compatible with both systems:
*. Type in ORs between alternative terms (dog OR canine).
*. Type phrases in quotation marks ("police dog").
*. Type nouns in the singular (dog).
This approach is designed to work across both platforms.
The order of operation is the same for both Westlaw and Lexis. true or false
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False. The order of operations for search queries can differ between Westlaw and Lexis due to differences in how each platform processes connectors and operators. It's important to understand the specific rules for each platform to ensure accurate search results. If you need more information or clarification on search queries, feel free to ask!
On Westlaw, when running a terms and connectors search, you should always type nouns in plural form so you will retrieve both the singular and plural forms. true or false
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False. On Westlaw, it is recommended to type nouns in singular form to retrieve both the singular and plural forms. Using the singular form in searches generally ensures that both variations are captured. If you have more questions, feel free to ask!
On both Westlaw and Lexis, you truncate terms by putting an ! at the root. Example: bit! OR scratch! true false
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True. On both Westlaw and Lexis, you can truncate terms by placing an exclamation mark (!) at the root. This allows you to search for all variations of the root word. If you have any more questions about using these research tools or need further legal information, feel free to ask!
On Lexis, when running a terms and connectors search, you must enclose phrases such as "summary judgment" or "res ipsa loquitur" in quotation marks since spaces between words are interpreted as ORs. true false
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True. On Lexis, when performing a terms and connectors search, phrases like "summary judgment" or "res ipsa loquitur" should be enclosed in quotation marks. This ensures that the words are treated as a single phrase rather than interpreted with spaces as ORs. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
You want to run a terms and connectors search that works on both Westlaw and Lexis. For each question, choose whether the search is correctly formulated. After you answer these questions, let's return to the main menu and go to the next section. You want to retrieve documents that contain any of the following terms: dog, canine, German Shepherd. dog OR canine OR "german shepherd" correctly or not correctly
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The search query "dog OR canine OR 'german shepherd'" is correctly formulated for both Westlaw and Lexis. This formulation uses the OR connector to retrieve documents containing any of the specified terms. If you have any questions about using Westlaw or Lexis, feel free to ask!
You want to retrieve documents that contain all of the following terms: dog, canine, German Shepherd. dog AND canine OR "german shepherd" correctly formulated or not
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The search query "dog AND canine OR 'german shepherd'" is not correctly formulated if you intend to retrieve documents containing all the specified terms. The correct formulation should be "dog AND canine AND 'german shepherd'" to ensure all terms are present in the documents. If you need further clarification, feel free to ask!
You want to retrieve documents about a dog or canine or German Shepherd biting or scratching a suspect. dog OR canine OR "german shepherd" /S bit! OR scratch! /P suspect correctly or not
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The search query "dog OR canine OR 'german shepherd' /S bit! OR scratch! /P suspect" is not correctly formulated. The correct formulation should ensure logical grouping with parentheses to control the operation order, such as: "(dog OR canine OR 'german shepherd') /S (bit! OR scratch!) /P suspect".
If you have further questions or need help with legal research, feel free to ask!