Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

n/a

Co Requisite Comment

n/a

Aims

The module offers advanced research methods training for students wishing to pursue Doctoral level research in Law. It will cover important issues such as research design, epistemology, research methodology and the implementation of research planning for the successful completion of a PhD in Law. The module will use case study based teaching to give students appropriate training in research design for advanced research projects in Law. This will include issues of the relevance of qualitative data collection, constructing sample sets, and practical issues including questionnaire design and data analysis.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introduction to the course
Library Skills - Introduction to the Library research
Computer Skills - Introduction to Computing and Databases
Referencing and OSCOLA
Drop-in Clinic for Lexis Research
Finding and Using English, Comparative and International materials, European Legal Materials (optional), Government Publications
Conducting a Lit Review
Principles of Research Design
Doctrinal Research
Socio Legal Research
Qualitative methods in Legal Research I and 2
Quantitative methods in research – an introduction
Presenting Qualitative and Quantitative Data
Case Studies I
Case Studies II
‘In the field’ experiences of empirical research
Ethical and Legal Issues in Socio Legal Research
Researching and writing papers for publication

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

- How to design and write PhD research proposals
- How to organise and manage their work in order to carry out Doctoral research effectively
- How to carry out research independently, using advanced legal research sources, including international, European and comparative legal materials, electronic and other legal search engines.
- How to select an appropriate methodology for the design and implementation of research proposals and for the construction of research data
- How to present and publish their research findings

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:
- find, evaluate and employ legal research materials.
- engage in theoretical reflection on the legal subjects being studied, including identifying the criteria by which the law's regulation might be evaluated and making judgements thereon supported by sound and informed reasoning
- identify issues for research and appropriate methodologies for the execution of research projects in the chosen subject domain
- exercise critical judgement by discriminating between the merits or otherwise of particular arguents or methodologies
- exercise skills of evaluation in making a reasoned choice between competing methodologies, solutions or arguments

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The teaching methods have been adapted for delivery in the post-COVID environment and are based on the presumption that in person lectures, seminars and in-person drop-in sessions will be possible but that this shall need to be supplemented by making alternative arrangements under ‘FLEX’ in case of the possibility of more limited possibilities for on Campus teaching).

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A literature review in Semester 1 - 2,000 words. The learning outcomes are targeted to and tied in with, in terms of delivery, the timetable for Research Council Student Scholarship deadlines and, are intended to produce high quality fundable external Scholarship applications.

General Notes

N/A