CSU Libraries > How Do I > Galileo > Using LexisNexis to Find News

Using LexisNexis to Find News

LexisNexis is the database to search when you need wide ranging or detailed information about current events. It is also a good database for legal research, but that would take a separate handout. LexisNexis is one hundred percent full text.

1. Before you start searching, look carefully at your topic. Most in depth current events topics consist of two concepts. For example effect of the Patriot Act on foreign students includes "patriot act" AND students. The "quotes" make patriot act into a phrase.
2. Go to GALILEO and choose the amber tab labeled News/Facts Reference.
3. Select News.
4. LexisNexis is at the top of the list. Please click it.
5. LexisNexis is a very large database. Avoid the Quick News Search and click on News instead.
6. For most topics, select General News from the top scroll bar and Major Papers from the second scroll bar.
7. You can also usually leave the right hand boxes in the multibox alone. If you would like a more exact search, you can change the scroll bar to headline or for a more extensive and less exact search select full text. The right hand boxes control where LexisNexis looks to find your search terms.
8. In the top lefthand box of the multibox put your search's first keyword. For "patriot act" AND students put "patriot act" in the top lefthand box and students in the second lefthand box. LexisNexis automatically assumes the AND is there to give you articles that only contain both terms.
9. Click the red search button.
10. LexisNexis gives you a list of references. You can click on these to get the full text. It is also good to arrange larger lists of references by relevance rather than date.
11. To read the full text of your references, click on their red titles. These titles turn grey after you read the article.
12. To print your article, click on the red print tab near the top of the page. Then click on the display document button. Then print using print under file or the print icon.
13. The red email tab lets you email the article to yourself. You of course need to supply LexisNexis with an email address.
14. To start a new search or change an existing search click on the red edit search letters.
15. To end a LexisNexis session, simply close the browser window.

EHK -- December 2004