Final answer:
A citator is a legal research tool used for validating legal documents, found in databases such as WestlawNext and Westlaw, distinguishing it from keywords, which are used for search queries.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of legal research within databases such as WestlawNext and Westlaw, the tool that is very effective for validating statutes, regulations, and administrative rulings is known as a citator. A citator is a research tool that allows legal professionals to trace the history and treatment of a legal case, statute, or regulation, and to check the current validity of the law. It can also be used to find subsequent cases that have cited the original one, providing insights into how the law is being interpreted and applied over time. Meanwhile, keywords are important as well, as they help in conducting targeted searches within databases to find relevant case laws and statutes. The skill in developing effective keywords is central to successful legal research. This process includes consulting credible sources and using specialized databases to refine and support legal arguments.