LexisNexis Academic for Policy Information

LexisNexis Academic is a powerful full text database, covering business information, news, and legal information.  Two of these functions are important for policy research: news and legal information.  This guide is intended to outline the several ways you can access this information using the database.

Easy Search

When you open the database it defaults to the Easy Search page, where you can do quick searches for specific kinds of information, like news and legal cases.

In the bottom right of the page, there is a box entitled Combined Search.  Here you can select multiple categories of information you want to search, such as US & State Legal Cases and Law Reviews.

 Power Search

You can click on the Power Search option to search for multiple terms either using Boolean terms (and, or) or natural language.  In addition, you can add Index terms to make your search more precise.

 

 

Using Add Index Terms, click on Subject, then Find and type in your term.

 

You will get an outline of all categories that match your search.  Click on one or more that look useful, and then click on OK-Add to Search.

 

Your search will then be placed in the Power Search form.

The next step is to select a source type.  You may then choose to select a specific section, but this is optional.

 

If you get too many results, try shortening the time in the Specify Date box.

 

Search Categories

In the left margin are several specific search categories that may also be helpful for policy searches.  These include US Legal, International Legal, and Subject Areas.

 

If you have any questions about using LexisNexis Academic, please contact me at Nancy.Lewis@umit.maine.edu or contact Fogler's Ask-a-Librarian service.

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Created by: Nancy_Lewis@umit.maine.edu | Revised: 01/11/2013