Background research
Before narrowing down your topic, it's a good idea to do some background reading. Check the resources below to find one or two general overviews about your topic.
- Online study aidsStudy aids can be a very approachable introduction to a topic. Many of these books are also found in the library catalog, but the resources listed here help you search through online study aids topic.
- Library catalogFind treatises and textbooks on your topic in the library catalog. For help using the catalog, see the Books tab in this guide.
- Treatises and Guides on Lexis+Scroll down to filter by practice area.
- Secondary Sources on Westlaw EdgeUse the panel on the left to filter by topic or to search by title. Also check the "Secondary Source Index" linked in the Tools & Resources panel on the right.
Symbol Key
Free web sites available to all
Cornell Community - available to entire Cornell community
Law School Computers - available only using Law School workstations
Personal Account - law students and faculty access using personal accounts. Contact lawref@cornell.edu for more information.