Penn Law AE Cite-Checkers: Tips and Resources

Cite-checking can indeed by trying. Where do I start? What do I check? These tips for cite-checking will help to organize the task ahead of you.

Your liaison for cite-checking is Merle Slyhoff, Collection Development/Document Delivery Services Librarian. All questions regarding your source hunts should be directed to her. She will help you resolve your problem, or direct you to the appropriate person. She can be contacted in person in T-212, by email at mslyhoff@law.upenn.edu, or via phone at 215-898-9013. If she isn't available, or if she is busy helping other editors, feel free to stop by the reference desk for assistance.

Plagiarism is a serious issue. Please click here to open an important PowerPoint presentation on this topic!

Resources To Check

ALL CITES - Articles, Books, Proceedings, etc.

You must check all cites in the the following resources:

• LOLA - Biddle's online catalog
  
• Franklin - Penn's online catalog of campus libraries with exception of Biddle Law Library
  
• Drexel - Drexel University's online catalog. You have borrowing privileges at Drexel and can copy materials; located at 33rd and Market Sts

PDF QUICK-CHECKS

• CFR - A searchable, PDF of CFR is available at HeinOnline
  
• Federal Register
  
• Journals/Law Reviews - Many journals are available as PDF. For law journals/reviews, check the title in LOLA to see if an online version is available. Also check Franklin, the Van Pelt online catalog - insert the title of the journal and click E-Resource Title.
  
• U.S. Reports: Includes Preliminary Prints and Slip Opinions
  
• U.S. Code: two resources: Supreme Court website or House of Representatives
  
• U.S. Statutes at Large

GENERAL WEB RESOURCES

• Research Resources - Biddle's web page listing categories of web resources, such as General Reference and Organizations
  
• University of Pennsylvania Library Databases - This page includes links to numerous databases available via Van Pelt Library's web page. In some instances you may locate a pdf of what you need; in others you may be able to verify a citation.
  
• Law on the Web - Biddle page that links to numerous web sites including U.S. law and government documents.
  
• HeinOnline - In addition to having pdf versions of many law journals and legal periodicals, Hein is also a resource for pdf versions of:
  • Federal Register Library
  • Treaties and Agreements Library
  • U.S. Supreme Court Library
  • European Center for Minority Issues
  • U.S. Attorney General Opinions
  • Legal Classics

JOURNAL ARTICLES

A pdf is acceptable for cite-checking. A pdf is exactly the same print you would get if you were to photocopy from the journal issue. PDF versions of many journals are available from a number of readily available resources.

• A good starting point is from Biddle's LOLA web page. Click on RESEARCH RESOURCES/ Electronic and Print Journals. This takes you to a page that lists all journals in Biddle -- electronic and print. Just type in the journal title. The list will let you know if there is an electronic copy (to get a pdf) or if the only copy is in paper.

This page is updated monthly. You should also check LOLA for more up-to-date additions.

• You should also check Biddle's Electronic Resources/E-Journals. Note: Some of these titles are to full-text rather than pdf.
  
  
• Your next stop is HeinOnline. This is the most current list of journal articles available from this resource.
  
  
• Your next search point is Van Pelt's web page. Enter your search in the box in the upper left corner: Search E-Resource Locator/Library Site. If you want to locate only electronic resources, use the drop down box and select "In e-resource title only." Selecting "Anywhere" will also let you know if they have it in print.

• The Web - If you're unable to locate the journal in any of the above resources, check your favorite search engine, such as Google. Searching for the journal title in " " will sometimes result in an online version available free of charge.
  
  
• Search Lexis and Westlaw. In most cases you can't use the articles as they appear in either of these databases, but you can verify citations.
  
  
• Periodical Indexes - This link is to Biddle's web page of periodical indexes available online. This page can be useful in verifying citations. Some indexes include links to full-text.

BOOKS

In addition to the above resources listed under ALL CITES, you should check:

• The Web - Doing a search of your favorite search engine, such as Google may help you to verify the information you have. In some instances the title or author may be incorrect as cited by the author. Armed with this new information you can then search LOLA, Franklin and Drexel again to see if the book is available locally.

BILLS AND HEARINGS

• THOMAS - THOMAS is compiled by the Library of Congress and includes "legislative information on the Internet." It provides pdf copies of bills and some hearings.

CASES

• West - Some West Reporter volumes are available as pdf's. For more information see West Reporter Images on Westlaw® You can also verify citations using Lexis or West.

REPORTS, PROCEEDINGS

• Using your favorite search engine, check the web for the issuing agency. Locating the issuing agency's web page often provides information on the report or proceeding and in many cases uncovers a pdf of the document. Check the web page for a publications section, or enter the title of the report or proceeding in the "search" box.

FOREIGN/INTERNATIONAL LAW

• Foreign & International Indexes & Databases - Biddle's web page for foreign/international web resources.

Questions about cite checking? Contact Merle J. Slyhoff, T-212, 215-898-9013,
mslyhoff@law.upenn.edu.

Revised 8/06