Dissertation - LAW00021H
Module will run
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
- 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
Indicative assessment
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 85 |
Essay/coursework | 15 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Essay/coursework | 85 |
Essay/coursework | 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)