New WestlawNext Search Option for Terms and Connectors

A previous post discussed how searches in WestlawNext using only the connectors AND, OR, or quotation marks (“”) will not search as a terms and connectors search, but will use the WestSearch algorithm.   Now, WestlawNext makes the user aware of this.  After the search is run you get a message giving you the option to run the search as a strict terms and connectors search – see illustration:

You can specify a strict terms and connectors search at the outset, if desired, by typing in ADVANCED:  before your terms and connectors.

For example:

ADVANCED: “sexual battery” and “excited utterance”

However, some researchers are unaware that the system is not in fact running a strict terms and connectors search.  Now, they will know, because the message pops up giving them the option to run a search with the precise terms.  The change was made in response to a suggestion from our staff.