This topic will provide an overview of the importance of research methods in the field of law, introducing key concepts and approaches used in legal research.
Introduction to Research Methods in Law
Study guide – concise, organized, and ready for quick review
| Purpose | What it achieves |
|---|---|
| Understanding the law | Identifies statutes, cases, and regulations that govern a problem. |
| Problem‑solving | Provides the factual and doctrinal basis for advice, litigation, or policy proposals. |
| Academic contribution | Generates new insights, critiques existing rules, and suggests reforms. |
| Professional credibility | Demonstrates rigor, reliability, and ethical standards to clients, courts, and peers. |
| Type | Typical Output | Main Methods |
|---|---|---|
| Doctrinal (traditional) research | Case notes, legal memoranda, statutory commentary | • Textual analysis of statutes, case law, regulations • Comparative doctrinal tables |
| Empirical (social‑science) research | Survey reports, statistical analyses, field studies | • Quantitative (surveys, experiments, secondary data) • Qualitative (interviews, focus groups, ethnography) |
| Interdisciplinary research | Policy briefs, impact assessments | • Combines doctrinal with empirical or normative approaches (e.g., law & economics, law & sociology). |
| Critical / normative research | Theoretical essays, critical commentaries | • Philosophical argumentation, feminist/legal‑critical lenses, human‑rights analysis. |
Identify the research problem
Conduct a preliminary literature scan
Develop a research plan
Collect data / sources
Analyze the material
Draft the findings
Review & revise
Disseminate
| Category | Examples | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Legal databases | Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law, HeinOnline | Full‑text case law, statutes, secondary sources |