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Internet Tutorial for Legal Research

This quiz will help solidify what you already know, or what you have learned in the Internet Tutorial for Legal Research. Feel free to refer to the Internet Tutorial at any time while you are taking the quiz. When you have completed this quiz, click on the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the page. Your answers will be sent via e-mail to Susan Wolford. Good luck!

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1. The Internet provides access to a number of different functions, each of which operates with a distinct set of "protocols," or computer instructions. HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol.  Which of the following is also a protocol?

ftp
e-mail
Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
all of the above

2. Of the three things that lawyers use the Internet for, which two will be used in law school?

Research
Communication
Marketing
3. Lawyers determine if they can refer to information found on a web site by verifying the legal authority. How can legal authority be identified?
 
By looking at the top level domain name, usually .gov or .edu are reliabile sources
By looking at the author's name or credentials (J.D. or Esq.)
By looking at the information on the page - if it is on the web, it must be true.

4. It is important to verify that the information on a web site is from an authoritative source. What other factor is equally important?

Determining that the information is current.
Determining that the information has not been superseded.
Determing that the information is still considered "good" law.
All of the above.
 
5. What is the most efficient starting point for finding legal information via the Internet? (Hint: review the Search Instead of "Surf" section of the Tutorial.)
Begin with a Search Engine (Altavista or Google).
Begin with a Directory (FindLaw or Legal Information Institute).
Begin with a Legal Database (Index to Legal Periodicals or LegalTrac).

6. If you are looking for the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals web site, but you don't know the URL, what is the fastest way to find the web address?

Guessing at the URL by typing in something like: www.usfourthcircuit.gov
Using a search engine and entering, "U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals."
Refering to the Legal Research on the Internet collection of legal links offered by WVU College of Law Library. Select the Federal category and scroll down and single-click on the link to the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

7. This tutorial introduces several web sites that may be useful to you throughout law school (especially at 2:am when no one is available to help). What web site provides computer help, computer tips, and software guides? (Hint: refer to the General Reference category of the Legal Research on the Internet collection of web links.)

Webopeadia
NetDictionary
Wiredguide

8.  There are many choices for conducting legal research - books, CD-ROMs, fee-based databases, and the Internet. What should you consider before begining legal research?

How much time do you have to spend?
What do you have access to?
How much money are you planning to spend?
All of the above.

9. Where is the best place to begin legal research?

The WVU College of Law Library.
At home.
At work.
On the Internet.

10. Working through this tutorial, you have learned that the Internet IS NOT a substitute for conducting legal research in a Law Library. Throughout law school, where can you find legal research help?

WVU College of Law Library Reference Desk.
Kevin Fredette, Head of Public Services.
Reference and Electronic Services Librarian.
All of the above.


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