When researching with a code on Westlaw or Lexis, what type of search should be avoided?

In legal research using databases like Westlaw or Lexis, a natural language search is not the most effective method and is best avoided. This type of search operates on the principle of inputting questions or phrases in a way that mimics conversational language, which can lead to less precise results. Legal research often requires specificity and the use of particular terms or phrases that may not be captured effectively in a broader, more general natural language query.

Moreover, legal terms can have specific meanings or implications that may not be conveyed properly through conversational language. Therefore, relying on a natural language approach could result in missing critical legal precedents or statutes, as the search engine may not interpret the intended legal context accurately. In contrast, Boolean searches and keyword searches allow users to leverage specific legal terminology and relationships between terms, yielding more relevant results in the specialized field of legal research.