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*Pre Law: General Research Guide

Information (such as law board (LSATs) preparation & legal research) to assist students seeking careers as an attorney, legal assistant or paralegal.

Featured Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Gale Encyclopedia of Everyday Law

Gale Encyclopedia of Everyday Law

Provides an overview of the American legal system and offers a series of essays explaining the law on topics including civil rights, consumer issues, the First Amendment, taxes, and estate planning.

West's Encyclopedia of American Law

West's Encyclopedia of American Law

Provides current information on more than 5,000 legal topics. Includes completely revised articles covering important issues, biographies, definitions of legal terms and more. Covers such high-profile topics as the Americans with Disabilities Act, capital punishment, domestic violence, gay and lesbian rights, and physician-assisted suicide.

Black's Law Dictionary

Black's Law Dictionary

Definitions of the terms and phrases of American and English jurisprudence, ancient and modern.

General Encyclopedic Databases @ Cortland

Once you have identified the main topic and keywords for your research, find one or more sources of background information to read. These sources will help you understand the broader context of your research and tell you in general terms what is known about your topic. The most common background sources are encyclopedias and dictionaries from the print and online reference collection. Class textbooks also provide background information.