Developed by HeinOnline’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) team, Article Summaries provide concise, reliable overviews generated exclusively from internal HeinOnline datasets. Below are answers to common questions.
Is there any interactive element to Article Summaries?
No. Article Summaries are not a chatbot or an open-ended AI tool. They are pre-generated overviews of articles. Each summary includes a date stamp showing when the article was processed.
Is HeinOnline using outside AI sources?
No. Article Summaries are generated exclusively from internal HeinOnline datasets. We do not pull from external sources or the open internet.
How is user data being used?
All summaries are created on infrastructure fully owned and operated by HeinOnline. No third-party APIs or external connectors are involved. No user data is collected, processed, transmitted, or stored as part of this feature.
Why can’t I see article summaries within search results?
The Law Journal Library contains more than two million articles. Summaries are being released in batches, starting with the most-cited and most-accessed articles. If your search results do not include these articles, you may not see summaries at this time.
How many words do article summaries contain?
Article Summaries are approximately 200-300 words.
How are summaries presented?
Each summary includes:
- Central Thesis
- Key Issues Addressed
- Methodologies and Data Sources
- Findings and Analysis
- Recommendations and Implications
Additional features include:
- A copy function is located in the upper right-hand corner for quick sharing
- A date stamp indicating when the article was processed
- A disclaimer noting the summary was generated by AI
- An option to provide feedback
Where can I find article summaries?
HeinOnline’s AI-powered Article Summaries can be accessed in three different places.
1. Search Results
- By default, summaries display within your search results in the Law Journal Library.
- Use the toggle to switch between summaries and matching text pages.
- Click Read More to expand and view the full summary.
2. Document Viewer
- Open an article in the document viewer.
- Select the AI Summary icon in the image toolbar.
- The summary will open in a panel for quick reading.
3. PDF Download
When downloading an article PDF, the summary will automatically appear on the second page, right after the citation page.
What if I think an article summary is incorrect or hallucinating?
Each summary includes a Feedback option. If you believe a summary is inaccurate, please submit feedback through the form provided. Our AI team reviews all submissions carefully and uses them to improve accuracy and refine the process.
Can I rely on summaries for legal research or citation?
Summaries are designed to provide quick context, not to replace full-text reading. Researchers should always consult the original article for authoritative information and citations.
Do article summaries introduce bias?
Summaries are generated directly from HeinOnline’s internal datasets, without pulling from external sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and neutrality, we encourage users to review the full article to form their own conclusions.
Will summaries be available outside the Law Journal Library?
For now, Article Summaries are exclusive to the Law Journal Library. Expansion to other HeinOnline collections may be considered in the future.
Why are some summaries more detailed than others?
Summaries are generated automatically and reflect the length, structure, and complexity of each article. While most will fall in the 200–300-word range, the level of detail may vary.
How often are summaries updated?
Summaries are generated at the time of processing and include a date stamp. While we don’t anticipate frequent changes, we may update summaries as the technology evolves or to address specific issues flagged through feedback.
Can I cite Article Summaries in my research?
No. Article Summaries are intended as reading aids only. They should not be cited in legal documents, academic work, or relied upon as authoritative sources. For research and citation, always use the full-text article in HeinOnline.