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Research Mode

What is Research Mode?

Research mode is where you search through your uploaded documents to find relevant cases, passages, and information. Think of it as a powerful search engine that only searches YOUR documents.

Research mode lets you:

  • Find specific phrases, case names, or citations
  • Discover conceptually related content using AI
  • View documents and jump directly to relevant pages
  • Save important findings for later use

Switching to Research Mode

Look at the top toolbar for a toggle switch that says Write and Research.

  • Click to switch to Research mode
  • The interface changes to show the search bar and document viewer

Know which mode you're in

If you're looking for documents and don't see a search bar, you're probably in Write mode. Switch to Research mode using the toggle.

Recall offers two different search methods. Understanding when to use each one will make your research much more effective.

What it does: Finds documents containing the exact words you type.

Best for:

  • Finding a specific phrase you know is in a document
  • Locating exact case names (like "Smith v. Jones")
  • Finding specific citations (like "123 F.3d 456")
  • Searching for legal terms of art that must be exact

How to use it:

  1. Make sure Keyword search is selected (check the toggle near the search bar)
  2. Type your search terms
  3. Press Enter
  4. Results show documents containing your exact words

Pro tips for Keyword search:

Technique Example What It Does
Exact phrase "breach of contract" Finds that exact phrase only
Multiple terms negligence damages Finds documents with both words
Case name Smith v. Jones Finds references to that case

What it does: Uses AI to understand the meaning of your search and find conceptually related content — even if the documents use different words.

Best for:

  • Exploring a legal concept when you're not sure of the exact terminology
  • Finding cases that address a particular issue
  • Discovering relevant passages you might miss with keyword search
  • Asking natural questions about your documents

How to use it:

  1. Switch to Semantic search (toggle near the search bar)
  2. Type a natural language description of what you're looking for
  3. Press Enter
  4. Results are ranked by how well they match the meaning of your query

Example Semantic searches:

Instead of... Try this
"summary judgment" when can a court dismiss a case before trial
"breach of fiduciary duty" cases where a trustee misused funds
"statute of limitations" how long does someone have to file a lawsuit

Why use Semantic search?

Legal concepts are expressed in many different ways. A case might discuss "failure to exercise reasonable care" instead of "negligence." Semantic search understands these are related concepts and finds both.

Using the Search Interface

Located at the top of the Research mode interface:

  • Text field: Type your search query here
  • Mode toggle: Switch between Keyword and Semantic search
  • Clear button (X): Clears your current search

Understanding Search Results

When you search, results appear in a list showing:

Part of Result What It Shows
Document name Which document the result comes from
Text snippet A preview of the matching content
Page number Where in the document this appears

Working with Results

To view a result:

  1. Click on any search result
  2. The document opens in the PDF viewer
  3. Recall jumps to the relevant page
  4. The matching content may be highlighted

To navigate results:

  • Click different results to compare them
  • Use your keyboard's up/down arrows to move through the list
  • Click the X to clear results and start a new search

Filtering Search Results

When you have many documents, filters help narrow down results.

Category Filter

If you've organized documents into categories:

  1. Look for the category dropdown above the results
  2. Select a category to show only results from those documents
  3. Select "All" to remove the filter

Document Type Filter

Filter by the type of document:

  • Opinions (Westlaw/Lexis)
  • Briefs
  • Motions
  • Secondary sources

Pinning Search Results

When you find something useful, pin it so you don't lose it.

What are Pins?

Pins are saved excerpts from your research. They store: - The text you found - Which document it came from - What page it's on - Any notes you add

How to Pin a Result

  1. Find a useful search result
  2. Hover your mouse over it
  3. Click the pin icon (looks like a thumbtack or pushpin)
  4. The excerpt is saved to your Pins collection

Where Pins Go

Pins are accessible in Write mode: 1. Switch to Write mode 2. Look at the left pane — it shows your Pins 3. Click any pin to see its full content

Learn more about Pins →

Search Strategies

Start Broad, Then Narrow

  1. Begin with a general query
  2. Look at what comes back
  3. Add more specific terms based on what you see
  4. Use filters to focus on relevant document types

Use Both Search Modes

  1. Start with Semantic for conceptual exploration
  2. Switch to Keyword when you need exact phrases or citations
  3. Compare results from both to ensure completeness

Write Down Your Queries

When you find something useful, note what search terms worked. This helps you repeat successful searches later.

What If Search Isn't Finding What You Need?

Document Might Not Be Indexed Yet

  1. Check the document's status in the document list
  2. If it says "Indexing," wait for it to complete
  3. If it says "Error," try removing and re-adding the document

Check Your Filters

  1. Clear any category or document type filters
  2. Make sure you're searching "All" documents
  3. Try your search again

Try Different Words

  1. Rephrase your search using synonyms
  2. Try more general or more specific terms
  3. Switch between Keyword and Semantic modes

Rebuild the Search Index

If nothing else works:

  1. Go to Settings → Model Settings
  2. Under Semantic Search, click Rebuild Index
  3. Wait for the rebuild to complete
  4. Search again

Tips for Effective Research

Tip Why It Helps
Pin as you go Don't rely on your memory — save useful findings immediately
Try both search modes Keyword and Semantic search find different things
Be specific The more detail in your query, the better the results
Use natural language For Semantic search, ask questions like you'd ask a colleague
Check filters Hidden filters might be limiting your results
Note what works Remember successful queries for future research

Common Questions About Research

What's the difference between Keyword and Semantic search?

Keyword search finds exact words. Semantic search finds meaning. If you search for "car," Keyword only finds "car" while Semantic might also find "automobile," "vehicle," or "motor vehicle."

Why are my search results empty?

Check: (1) Are documents indexed? (2) Are filters hiding results? (3) Have you tried different search terms? (4) Are you in the right Matter?

How do I search for an exact phrase?

In Keyword mode, put quotes around the phrase: "summary judgment motion"

Can I search all Matters at once?

No, search is limited to the currently selected Matter. Switch Matters to search different collections.

Why does Semantic search give weird results?

Semantic search understands meaning broadly. If results seem off, try being more specific in your query, or switch to Keyword search for precise matching.