Legal encyclopaedia include a topic outline, relevant legislation, significant case law, and journal articles.
Legal encyclopaedia and dictionaries are the first step in understanding an issue, or if there is not definition in an Act, Interpretation Acts, or in case law.
Legal encyclopaedia can be browsed or searched using Advanced Search (recommended).
Legal dictionaries include definitions from legislation and case law.
AGLC Rule 1.9.1 Official Dictionary
Spelling should comply with the latest edition of the Macquarie Dictionary.
Where alternative spellings are given, the first-listed should be used unless there is a good reason to do otherwise.
Where a word is not included in the Macquarie Dictionary, the Oxford English Dictionary should be used.
This will generally mean that British English spelling is preferred to American variants.
Library Search cannot search for articles from the law databases by article title.
Search the Library Search for the journal title.
Be sure to change the search from the default Keyword to Title.
Once you are in the correct database for that journal, you can then search for the article by title.
Sourcing Articles by Article Title:
Each legal database only gives search results from the journals they publish.
Therefore, searches will need to be repeated in each legal database to ensure comprehensive coverage of a topic.
To source articles on a topic:
Source articles from:
Source articles from:
Establish alerts for Tables of Content for latest editions (free)
There are a number of online resources that can be useful in providing the full title of journal abbreviations.
Library Search cannot search for articles from the law databases by citation.
Source Articles by Citation:
Example: 44 Crim LJ 173
Step 1: Solve the journal title abbreviation
Access Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations
Enter abbreviation
Example: Crim LJ
Select Search
Read the list of titles.
If unsure, check the Jurisdiction for clarification
Copy the full title of the publication
Step 2: Search for the full name of the journal using Library Search
Step 3: Select the link to Source the journal online on the correct database
Step 4: Search by citation or browse the database for the article
Library Search cannot search for articles from the law databases by article title.
Use Library Search to search for the journal title.
Once you are in the correct database for that journal, you can then search for the article by title.
Sourcing Articles by Article Title:
Example 1:"No Unbundling for Ethical Obligations" (2003) 41(6) LSJ 58 |
Example 2:"No Unbundling for Ethical Obligations" (2003) 41(6) LSJ 58 |
Example 3:"James Hardie’s asbestos liability legacy in Australia: Disclosure, corporate social responsibility and the power of persuasion" (2011) 26 Aust Jnl of Corp Law 55 |
Step 1. Type article title into Library Search. Tip: Example: "No Unbundling for Ethical Obligations"
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Step 1: Solve the journal abbreviation using Cardiff |
Step 1: Solve the journal abbreviation using Cardiff
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Step 2: Identify the relevant Result. Click on the link Full Text Online |
Step 2: Type journal title into Library Search. Tip: |
Step 2: Type journal title into Library Search. Tip:
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Step 3: Select the relevant title |
Step 3: Identify the relevant Result. Click on the link Full Text Online |
Step 3: Identify the relevant Result. Click on the link Full Text Online
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Step 4: Select the Download button |
Step 4: Select the link to the database holding the relevant date period |
Step 4: Select the link to the database holding the journal
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Step 5: Select the year from the Table of Contents |
Step 5: Search the journal by article title Tip:
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Step 6: Navigate to the relevant article |
Step 6: Select the relevant result |
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Step 7: Click on the download button to view article as a PDF |
If Murdoch Library does not have the article you are seeking, you can:
Search for journal titles in UlrichsWeb to confirm that a journal's publishing policy is to have articles reviewed prior to publishing.
Library Search does not search CCH, Lexis Advance, Westlaw Australia.
Library Search |
Databases |
Google Scholar |
Step 1: Search by topic or title using Library Search
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Gale Academic OneFileCheck the box to filter results to Peer review articles only |
Step 1: Search by topic or title using Google Scholar
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Step 2: Refine search results by Content Type: Journal Article located to the left of screen
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Step 2: Search for journal title in UlrichsWeb Note: not the article title |
Step 3: Refine search results by Scholarly & Peer-Reviewed
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ProQuestCheck the box to filter results to Peer review articles only |
Step 3: Confirm that journal has black icon of books |
The black book symbol indicates that the journal has a peer review publishing policy.
In each database:
AustLII |
Informit including AGIS Plus Text |
Lexis Advance |
Westlaw Australia |
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Option 1: LawCite:Step 1: Select LawCite |
Step 1: Search by Act title in double inverted commas and jurisdiction e.g.
Tip: |
Step 1: Select drop-down arrow beside Advanced Search
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Step 1: Search by Act title in double inverted commas and section number to be within 10 words of Act title e.g. |
Step 2: Add the Act title in Legislation Considered: Add the provision number in Section Tips: |
Step 2: Select Search |
Step 2: Navigate down to Legislation Title and Provision Number
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Step 2: Select Search
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Step 3: Select Search |
Step 3:
Add the term Tip:
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Step 3:
From the Results page: Option 1: Select View All Secondary Sources Option 2: Select Secondary Sources from the Content types menu
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Step 4: Select |
Step 4: Select Search |
Step 4:
From the Filter menu on the left of screen, Select Law Reviews & Journals
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Option 2: Database Search1. Select Journals & Scholarship from the red ribbon |
Step 5: Narrow results by using filters |
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2. Add the Act title within double inverted commas to the search box (located in the top right corner) e.g. |
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3. Click on the magnifying icon to Search | |||
4. Results can be sorted: By Relevance By Citation Frequency By Database By Date By Title |
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In each database:
AustLII |
Informit including AGIS Plus Text |
Lexis Advance |
Westlaw Australia |
Option 1: LawCite:1. Select LawCite (located at the far right on the red band) |
Step 1: Search by Case title in double inverted commas and jurisdiction e.g.
Tip: |
Option 1: Quick Find:1. Select Cases 2. Complete Case citation OR |
1. Search by case citation or case name Example:
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2. Complete Case citation OR |
Step 2: Select Search |
2. Select CaseBase link |
2. Select the relevant suggestion from the drop-down menu |
3. Navigate to |
3. Navigate to Publications referring to this case _________________________ |
3. From the Citing References tab,
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Option 2: Database Search:1. Select Journals & Scholarship from the red ribbon |
Option 2: Advance Search Secondary Materials1. Select Advanced Search Cases |
4. Filter results by Publication Name to select journals
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2. Add the citation within double inverted commas to the search box (located in the top right corner) Example: |
2. Complete Case citation OR case name in the References to Cases field |
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3. Click on the magnifying icon to Search | |||
4. Results can be sorted: |
In each database:
Example: Articles citing the article Gray, Kevin, 'Property in Thin Air' (1991) 50 Cambridge Law Journal 252
AustLII |
Informit including AGIS Plus Text |
Lexis Advance |
Westlaw Australia |
Option 1: LawCite:1. Select LawCite (located at the far right on the red band) |
1: Search by Case title in double inverted commas and jurisdiction Example:
Tip: |
Option 1: Quick Find:1. Select Secondary Materials 2. Complete Title or Heading field Note: this search only looks for the search words in the title of the material |
1. Select Content Type - Secondary Sources 2. Select Advanced Search
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2. Complete Article citation OR
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2. Select Search |
2. Results can be Narrowed By: _________________________ |
2. Complete relevant field: |
3. Navigate to |
Option 2: Advanced Search: Secondary Materials1. Select Secondary Materials from the Advanced Search drop-down menu |
3. Filter Results by Publication Type - Law Reviews & Journals
_________________________ |
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Option 2: Database Search:1. Select Journals & Scholarship from the red ribbon |
2. Complete relevant field: Example:
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2. Add the citation OR article title OR author within double inverted commas to the search box (located in the top right corner) Example: |
3. Click on magnifying glass icon to Search |
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3. Click on the magnifying icon to Search | 4. Results can be Narrowed By: Content Type Publication Legal Topics |
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4. Results can be sorted: |
Example: Articles citing the article Gray, Kevin, 'Property in Thin Air' (1991) 50 Cambridge Law Journal 252
CCH IntelliConnect |
Google Scholar |
Library Search |
Westlaw Classic. |
1: Search by article title in double inverted commas Example:
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1: Change Google Scholar Settings: Library links: Murdoch
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Library Search includes results from: Gale OneFile: LegalTrac |
1. Select Content - International Materials
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2. Select the magnifying icon to Search
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2: Search by article title in double inverted commas Example: |
1: Search by article title in double inverted commas Example:
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2. Select Content Types Journals |
3. From the menu on the left of screen, expand + by Document Type
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3. Select Search |
2. Select Search
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3. Search by article title in double inverted commas in the search box at the top of screen Example: |
4. Select CCH Commentary |
4. Uncheck the boxes for □ include patents |
2. Refine Results to CONTENT TYPE DISCIPLINE
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Case law and journal citations are made up of the abbreviation for the case report series or journal.
To find the unabbreviated case report series or journal title you can look at a number of different sources:
Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations
All that JAS: Journal Abbreviation Sources
CaseBase - access CaseBase Abbreviations (by Publication) from the help menu
La Trobe University Legal Abbreviations Database
Legal commentaries and updating services provide guidance in applying the law on a particular subject area.
Written by subject specialists, practitioners and academics, commentary services provide an explanation of laws using a mix of commentary, legislation (full text or extracts) and key cases.
Many commentary services include in-depth, practical insights, together with extensive illustrative material, enabling an appreciation of both the technical and procedural aspects of the law.
Examples:
Lexis Advance Practical Guidance resources contain precedents for use in:
AustLII |
CCH IntelliConnect |
Lexis Advance |
Westlaw Australia |
1. Select LawCite (located at the far right on the red ribbon) |
1. Add the legislation title and section number to the search box Tip: Enclose the legislation title in double inverted commas "Commercial Tenancy (Retail Shops) Agreements Act 1985"
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1. Select Advanced Search - Secondary Materials
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1. Search by Act title in double inverted commas and section number to be within 10 words of Act title e.g.
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2. Complete Legislation Title and Provision Number fields Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation - just the number) |
2. Narrow Results by Document Type CCH Commentary
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2. Complete References to Legislation by Title and References to Legislation by Provision Number fields Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation - just the number) |
2. From the Results page: Select Secondary Sources from the Content types menu |
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3. Narrow the search Results by Content Type > Commentary _________________________ |
3. Filter the Results by |
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Option 2: Quick Find: LawNow1. Select Legislation 2. Complete Legislation Title and Provision Number fields Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation - just the number) |
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2. Select the relevant Result 3. Select the View Legislation Citator link (located to the right of the section title) |
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4. Navigate to Secondary Materials _________________________ |
General search for definition or meaning across all materials:
(character* OR compris* OR defin* OR describ* OR discuss* OR element* OR expla* OR interpret* OR mean* OR phras*) /15 SearchTerm
Tip: Filter or refine results list by document type (act, case, article, dictionary, encyclopaedia), jurisdiction, etc
(character* OR compris* OR defin* OR describ* OR discuss* OR element* OR expla* OR interpret* OR mean* OR phras*) /15 slaver*
(character* OR compris* OR defin* OR describ* OR discuss* OR element* OR expla* OR interpret* OR mean* OR phras*) /15 "vicarious liability"
Lexis Advance |
Westlaw Australia |
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Step 1: Select drop-down arrow beside Advanced Search |
Step 1: Select Content type - Legislation |
Step 2: Navigate down to Defined Terms |
Step 2: Select Advanced Search |
Step 3: Add the term |
Step 3: Navigate down to Defined Terms |
Step 4: Select Search |
Step 4: Add the term |
Step 5: Narrow results by using filters Alternatively: Browse Results looking at Content and Jurisdiction |
Step 5: Select Search |
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Step 6: Narrow results by using filters Alternatively Select the highlighted hyperlink in the legislation results |
Option 2: General SearchStep 1: In the search box on the home page, type (character! OR compris! OR defin! OR describ! OR discuss! OR element! OR expla! OR interpret! OR mean! OR phras!) /15 SearchWord |
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Step 2: From the Results page, OR View All beside the Legislation group |
AustLII |
Jade |
Lexis Advance |
Westlaw Australia |
Option 1: LawCite1. Select LawCite (located at the far right on the red band) |
1. Select Jade Browser tab Select Legislation Collection Select By legislature |
Option 1: Quick Find: LawNow
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Option 1: Global Search:1. Search by Act title and section number in the global search box Example: WAIT
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2. Complete Legislation Considered fields Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation - just the number) |
2. Select Western Australian Legislation - Acts (WALegAct) Navigate to the relevant Act
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2. Select the hyperlinked section title from the Results list |
2. From the drop down suggestions, select the linked section title |
Option 2: NoteUp1. Select the relevant jurisdiction from the black ribbon on the AustLII home page Example: WA |
3. Navigate to relevant section Select section title
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3. Select the _________________________ |
3. Select Cases from the Citing References tab _________________________ |
2. Type the Act title and section number (number only) in the search box (located at the top right of screen) Example: Legal Profession Act 2008 282 |
4. Select relevant citations |
Option 2: Cases Advanced Search:1. Select Advanced Search - Cases _________________________ |
Option 2: General Search:1. Search by Act title in double inverted commas and section number to be within 10 words of Act title e.g. |
3. Select the magnifying glass Search icon |
Tip: Sign up for Jade Professional using your Murdoch student email address @student.murdoch.edu.au (it is free) |
2. Complete Legislation Title and Provision Number fields Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation - just the number) _________________________ |
2. Select Cases Option 1: Select View All Cases Option 2: Select Cases from the Content types menu _________________________ |
4. Select the hyperlinked Act and Section from the Results list from the Western Australian Current Acts database |
3. Select the View Legislation Citator link (located to the right of the section title) _________________________ |
Option 3: Advanced Search1. Select Content type - Cases |
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5. Select NoteUp References from the menu on the right of screen |
2. Select Advanced Search |
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6. Sort Results by database to easily identify cases |
3. Complete Legislation Title and Provision Number fields Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation _________________________ |
Spelling should comply with the latest edition of the Macquarie Dictionary.
Where alternative spellings are given, the first-listed should be used unless there is a good reason to do otherwise.
where a word is not included in the Macquarie Dictionary, the Oxford English Dictionary should be used.
This will generally mean the British English spelling is preferred to American variants.
Hyphenation should comply with the latest edition of the Macquarie Dictionary.
If a compound expression does not appear in the Macquarie Dictionary, it should be hyphenated (not spelled as one word).
Extrinsic materials provide guidance on the meaning behind, and the intended purposes of, an Act of Parliament.
Extrinsic materials are materials which do not form part of the Act itself, but assist in the interpretation of the Act.
These materials can include:
Bill + EM + 2RS + Reports = Act
Australian Encyclopedia of Forms & Precedents contains non-litigious precedents and forms for areas such as property, commercial and corporations law
Civil Procedure WA includes the Supreme Court Forms, District Court Forms
Lexis Advance : Practical Guidance resources contain precedents for use in:
Step 1: In the general search box, type
consent /3 notice
This is telling the computer to search for the word consent within 3 words of notice.
This will give results for consent notice, as well as notice of consent
Step 2: Select Search
Step 3: Select the tab for AU Forms & Precedents
Step 4: From the Narrow By filter menu
expand Jurisdiction
Step 5: Select More
Step 6: Select Western Australia
Step 7: Select
[6435] FORM 87 CONSENT NOTICE
This record provides links to:
Tip:
Permanent link to this page:
at the top of page, beside Document title, select drop-down arrow beside Actions v
Copy permalink from pop-up box.
Commonwealth Government Media Releases | Western Australian Government Media Statements |
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Step 1: Access ParlInfo Advanced Search |
Step 1: Access Media Statement website |
Step 2: Add search terms |
Step 2: Browse recent Statements or |
Step 3: Scroll down Parliamentary Collections to Media |
Step 3: Select Advanced Search |
Step 4: Check Press Releases |
Step 4: Add search terms and filters |
Step 5: Search |
Option: |
Search string for Internet Browser (Google / Bing / Duck Duck Go):
(media or press or publicity) (statement or release) search word
General search instructions:
Factiva |
ProQuest |
Westlaw Australia |
Step 1: Enter search terms. Example:
Note the use of the Proximity Operator w/ Note the use of the Truncation Operator * Boolean Operators: |
Step 1: Prepare for Advanced Search Search terms (key words) should be added one by one to each row on the Advanced Search page. As you will have more than two words for your search, you will need to add a row to the search page: Select ⊕ Add a row
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Step 1: Select Content Type
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Step 2: Refine search Example: Date: Duplicates: Region:
Tip: Select More Options Exclude: Republished news
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Step 2: Create a Search 1: Enter search terms, one on each line Example: Note the use of the Truncation Operator * e.g. legal* will search for: 2: Refine search Limit to: Publication date: Location: Document Type: Tip: Refining your search by Refining your search by |
Step 2: Option 1: Search News & Current Awareness using the Search box at the top of screen Example:
Option 2: Select news topics from Browse 10 most recent documents OR Search news topics using the Search box at the top of screen |
Step 3: Select Search |
Step 3: Select Search
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Step 3: Results can be filtered by: + Date |
Step 4: Refine Search Results Use Filter Options to the left of the screen to filter Results by:
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Step 4: Improve the Search 1: Amend the search string from to |
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Step 5: Manage Results List Manage your results into an exportable/download list Step 1:In original Results list, check the boxes next to the Result list number for those articles to be saved into an exportable/download list Step 2:From the To Do toolbar, select Adobe symbol Step 3:Select Headline, Article and TOC format from the drop-down menu This will print all articles in one list, with a Table of Contents. |
Step 5: Select the magnifying glass for Search |
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Step 6: Refine Search Results by: |
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Step 7: Further Refine Search Results Select these filters to further refine your search results: Source type: Newspapers Publication date: April 2020 Publication title: The Australian |
Specific Newspapers |
Specific Topics |
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Step 1: Create a ProQuest account
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Step 1: Create a ProQuest account |
Step 2: Search Publications for newspaper title |
Step 2: Search Publications for newspaper title
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Step 3: Select Create alert
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Step 3: Select Create alert
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Step 4: Complete details |
Step 4: Select Create alert |
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Step 5: Complete details
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If a particular book, journal article or other resource is not held in the University Library, you can request it from another library using our free services:
Some ebooks have a user limit (typically 3), although the Library endeavours to buy unlimited user licences wherever possible.
This means that only three people can read the ebook at the same time.
If the Table of Contents is faded, this means that all copies are currently in use.
You will need to wait an hour or so, then revisit the ebook to see if it is available.
If you are using an ebook as a resource during exams, you should download chapters ahead of the exam time in anticipation that the ebook will be in use during the exam period.
You can check whether there is a user limit on the ebook.
Access the ebook using Library Search.
Read the Availability statement for the ebook:
Once you have access to the ebook, download a chapter from the Table of Contents on the landing page.
Download a chapter every few days (so you stay within the download limit), so that, by the end of semester, you will have downloaded all chapters in preparation for an open book exam.
How many pages can I download from an ebook?
How long can I borrow an ebook?
From the Library Catalogue record, click on the link to the ebook, located below the Access Online heading:
Add Murdoch University as a library when you access Google Scholar and a link to our material will appear. To do this, you will need to set your Google Scholar preferences:
When you click a Library Search@Murdoch link in your Google Scholar search results, you will be prompted to log in using your Murdoch MAIS username and password