Unit of Study LAWS4002 Legal Research: Context, Perspective and Method (2024)

Unit description

Introduces researchers studying or working in the field of law to the range of theoretical and epistemological frameworks which may inform different types of legal research and to the methods and methodologies which may be employed in the legal research process. Provides students with the practical skills necessary to enable them to carry out and produce well designed and articulated research projects.

Unit content

1. Orientation: The nature of research; Types of research; Theoretical paradigms and frameworks.
2. The processes of research: Planning and design Identifying the scope and range of a research project; The research design; Research methods and methodologies; Formulating research questions; Articulating research aims; The ethics of research.
3. The processes of research: Working with data; Data collection methods; Interpreting and analysing data; Literature reviews.
4. Reflection and writing: Writing a synopsis; Identification and articulation of theoretical frameworks; Identification and articulation of methodology; Writing the text; Citation and referencing; Articulating outcomes and conclusions; Research dissemination.