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Unit of Study LAWS4002 - Legal Research: Context, Perspective and Method (2022)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

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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.

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Online
Session1
Session1

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

be able to justify and interpret theoretical propositions and conduct scholarly legal research.

demonstrate an understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making and an ability to recognise, reflect upon, and respond to ethical issues in a research context.

plan, develop and deliver an effective project presentation.

develop a comprehensive research proposal.

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • Grix, J, 2010, The Foundations of Research, 2nd edn, Palgrave MacMillan.
  • Hutchinson, T, 2018, Researching and Writing in Law, 4th edn, Thomson Reuters.
  • Van Hoecke, M (ed.), 2013, Methodologies of Legal Research, Bloomsbury.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.