Research Assistants

Whenever you are given an assignment, you will want to ask yourself the following questions:

1. What Exactly Should My End Product Look Like? 

Have you been asked to provide a memo? A short answer --in written or oral form? A bibliography? An annotated bibliography? How much analysis of the material you gather is expected?

2. How Much Time Are You Expected to Spend on This? 

Have you been given some indication regarding how much time your professor or boss expects you to spend on this? (Note: this is different from the next question.) Have you been given guidance regarding how detailed or in-depth your research is expected to be? Do they expect a short, quick peruse or a deep-dive? 

3. When Is Your Research Due? 

When are you expected to send what you have found? Are there multiple deadlines? Are you being asked to check in periodically, send materials along as you find them, provide updates?

The answers to these questions should inform how you structure your research process and organize your materials and your time. If expectations are unclear, you may also want to check in with the faculty member or supervising attorney to clarify.

A variety of guides are available on how to conduct the research process.  Below are a few examples, and more can be found in Search Center, the Law Library's catalog.