To introduce students to the process of formulating and developing questions suitable for advanced legal research, and designing research programmes around those questions
To introduce students to the process of supervised independent research
To transfer to students the skills needed to complete a substantial piece of legal research
Module learning outcomes
By the end of this module students should be able to demonstrate the ability to:
Identify a legal issue that has the potential to be the subject of legal research
Develop a research proposal for one such issue, and design a programme for executing the proposal
Carry out independent research on a topic related to law
Evaluate and apply relevant theoretical and methodological frameworks
Identify, locate and use relevant primary sources
Critically analyse and engage with a wide range of the secondary literature relevant to their topic
Construct coherent and logical arguments at an advanced level, addressing theoretical, doctrinal and policy issues relevant to their chosen issue
Present their findings with a high level of written proficiency, both at length and in a brief format, making use of appropriate referencing techniques
Reflect critically on their own learning in the course of the research process
Assessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework Dissertation
N/A
85
Essay/coursework Plan
N/A
15
Special assessment rules
None
Reassessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework Dissertation
N/A
85
Essay/coursework Plan
N/A
15
Module feedback
There are opportunities for formative feedback through the supervision process
Indicative reading
G. Holborn, Butterworths Legal Research Guide (2nd edition, 2001. Butterworths)
M. Salter and J. Mason Writing Law Dissertations: An Introduction and Guide to the Conduct of Legal Research (2007, Longman)
G. Griffin, M. McConville and Wing Hong Chui, Research Methods for Law (Research Methods for the Arts and Humanities) (Research Methods for the Arts and Humanities (2007, Edinburgh University Press)
A. L. Parrish and D.T. Yokoyama, Effective Lawyering: A Checklist Approach to Legal Writing and Oral Argument (2007. Carolina Academic Press)
S Halliday (ed), An Introduction to the Study of Law (W. Green, 2012)