Newcastle University

Aims

To deliver appropriate research training in legal research methods for students intending to pursue research to Doctoral level in Law.

Original Summary:
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 I: Introduction to the Library
Computer Skills I: Introduction to Computing and Databases
Library Skills II: Making the Most of the Library
Computer Skills II: Drop-in Clinic for Lexis
Research(continues throughout Semester 1)
Library Skills III: Finding and Using English, Comparative and International materials
Library Skills IV: Finding and using European Legal Materials (optional)
Library Skills V: Finding and Using Government Publications
Principles of Research Design
Qualitative methods in Legal Research I
Qualitative methods in Legal research II
Presenting Qualitative and Quantitative Data
Case Studies I
Case Studies II
Ethical and Legal Issues in Socio Legal Research

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This is a postgraduate module. Apart from the first seminar which provides an introduction to the module, seminars and directed research provide the main teaching method. Seminars with directed reading, where approrpriate, provide an efficient means of introducing topics relevant to legal research, laying a basic foundation of skills and knowledge that students will be able to practice and reflect upon when preparing their thesis topic and assessment presentations. The majority of seminars are based either on collective discussion of assigned problems or focused on student presentations thereby encouraging emphasis on the competing perspectives and methodologies for carrying out advanced legal research. This also provides an excellent forum for peer review of students' research presentations and research design, which forms an integral part of this module.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A literature review in Semester 1 - 2,000 words. Full PhD proposal in Semester 2. 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.