Conclusion or When to Know to Stop Research

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Conclusionor When to Know to Stop Research
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• Youve done the research and you feel confident
  of your understanding of the issue.
• You have isolated the most relevant articles,
  cases, statutes, and key numbers that were found
  by different methods of research and which cross
  reference one another.
• Youve carefully read and analyzed relevant
  Louisiana law.
• Youve ensured the cases you are relying on are
  good law.
• You can support your position with references to
  primary law and secondary sources, and counter
  the arguments likely to be presented by opposing
  counsel

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Knowing When To Stop1

• The Loop Rule
• When you start to see the same documents and
  citations over and over, you should probably
  realize you are done, especially if you have used
  the research products of more than one publisher
• The Economic Analysis or Diminishing Return Rule
• When you are investing more in your research than
  you are getting in return
• The Zen Rule
• When you have been working in an area of the law
  for a long time, you will be so familiar with the
  primary and secondary law you will have become an
  expert and will know when to stop.

1JOHNSON, ET AL., WINNING RESEARCH SKILLS, West
Group, 2002
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Good job

• Now you can write a persuasive memo or brief.
• This was just one potential path through the
  legal research process.
• Every research process will differ. You could
  have competently explored more or less legal
  resources depending on what is at stake and the
  time and money available.
• Youll be a successful researcher if you
  understand how to use the many resources that are
  available in a flexible and efficient manner.