Web sources, resources and strategies for legal research

Abstract

Purpose

The central objective of this work is to examine internet sources, resources, and strategies, with particular reference to legal research.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted was to preface web‐based definitions of the internet and draw some features from the definitions. The next approach was to examine legal research resources on the internet. A web‐based survey and subject analysis of legal resources was then conducted.

Findings

The findings reveal the existence of diverse web resources on all subjects of law.

Research limitations/implications

Draws implications for legal research based on empirical data presented. Internet legal research is not simplistic; nor are all the web‐accessed materials to be accepted hook, line and sinker. It is, however, critical to state that to a large extent the internet would continue to create distributed research community for scholarship and research on a global basis. It concludes that, for legal research institutions, the need to install IT‐driven legal research facilities is no longer at the crossroads of policy tinkering but at the threshold of fundamental technological shift. Internet connectivity is the most critical need of legal research institutions of developing countries.

Originality/value

Probably a first in emphasizing unequivocally that IT activity and expertise are an absolute necessity for the pursuit of legal research in the future.

Citation

Obiora Omekwu, C. (2005), "Web sources, resources and strategies for legal research", The Electronic Library, Vol. 23 No. 3, pp. 333-344. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470510603732