Let's say this is one of the first resources you've come across in your entire legal research journey--not just for tax law. There are plenty of helpful resources compiled here to get you on the right path to discovering the basics of best practices for legal research. What do you want to know?
General FAQ for Legal Researchers:
> For Mercer law students, the first place to start for how-to guides and basic, incredibly useful information is the Mercer Law Library Website.
> University of Arizona: Library Research FAQ
> Georgetown Law Library: Research Guides, Treatise Finders, and Tutorials
Tax-specific general FAQ for Legal Researchers:
> University of Florida: Specialized Tax Research Databases
> New York University: Federal Tax Law Research: Outline and Guide Information
While many resources found within these require school subscription for access, there is free information that may help get you off to a good start!
Some introductory research questions that we can answer would be:
1. How do I know if I am using a reliable, credible source?
A: For starters, if it is from a vetted, regarded legal research tool (Westlaw, LexisNexis, etc.), it can be assumed that it is credible. If outside of those subscription services, look to see who the author is, the organization that published the material, when it was published (the newer the better), and if the work has been cited in other reputable publications.
2. What's the difference between a popular and a scholarly source?
A: Popular sources, often magazines or newspapers, are more condensed, tend to not worry about sources within the writing, and are written by professional writers rather than those within the community of which the material is being written about (e.g., sciences, economics, etc.). As well, scholarly sources are reviewed by peers and include direct citations within the writing to sources.
3. How do I know if a case is going to help me?
A: This is a question faced by many students in various classes throughout law school. The answer is a bit nuanced, but generally if there is a direct connection to your topic and the circumstances or elements that make it unique, then it will be relevant. If this relevance either helps or creates questions regarding your assignment, it will be helpful.