1. Research Methods 2 - Overview - Methods & Techniques (student version).pdf

this documents contains research methods and its techniques

1. Some General Issues –Methods & Techniques:
Defining our terms and thinking about research.
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2. Research is all about …
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3. Method: A systematic and orderly approach taken
towards the collection and analysis of data
(broadly defined) so that information can be
obtained from these data.
Techniques: Particular, step by step procedures
which you can follow in order to gather data and
analyse them for the information they contain.
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4. OED – defines research in two senses or ways;
REsearch
reSEARCH
Activity can encompass both
◦Looking in a new way at already existing info, &
◦Discovering and interpreting previously undiscovered
information.
Qualitative: Importance attached to nature and
content of what is said or discovered
Quantitative: Significance is the number of
people who are saying it or the frequency of what
is said.
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5. Find a question/problem to address (see our
theme later):
◦Discuss with your supervisor or colleagues who
have knowledge or practical experience of and
affinity for a topic.
◦Read journal articles to find out what's already
known.
Authors also often point out topics for future research.
Consider topical events …
Consider cross-disciplinary work …
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6. 1.Novelty - create new information. Add to
existing body of information/knowledge (PhD).
2.Critical review and comment on existing
knowledge/information.
3.Draw out themes from existing texts and
sources and formulate a coherent theory to
explain the current state of affairs/situation
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7. The theme for these sessions is “Human Rights”.
TASKS:
1.Think about the topic (do a brief investigation);
2.Consider in general what (in terms of the
nature and type) legal research questions could
arise and how and in what manner could they
be investigated? What will you look at; what will
it show or demonstrate?
3.Consider why we might or need research them
(in other words, what are the justifications for
researching them)?
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8. 4.Formulating the research question is the
hardest part
The next step is to do the research
5. First of all, you have to be familiar with the
various sources available: library and
electronic based sources (assuming you are
using these).
Legal research specifically has its unique
problems and issues; in other words there are
discipline specific matters with regard to such
research.
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9. Domestic
ANNUALLY:
4000 NEW REPORTED CASES IN CURRENT LAW

LEGAL JOURNALS INDEX ADDS 30,000 ITEMS
TOTAL = 150 + NEW ITEMS EACH DAY
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10. Scope: you need to check the
prefatory/introductory editorial content
of a source e.g. is it a partial or
comprehensive treatment of the topic
Currency: you must know:
1. Which source is most current?
2. How is the source updated?
3. At what date are you operating in your
research?
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11. Be familiar with the sources and how to use
them:

 Paper sources
 Electronic sources
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12. Legal Encyclopaedia e.g. Halsbury’s Laws of
England
Case reports
Current Law
Practitioner Texts
Legal Dictionaries
Paper Journals
(Note: most have been digitised)
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13. Pakistan law site / beta
EastLaw
Lexis
legal source

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14. Two problems:
No single source is comprehensive

The information available is almost
immeasurable
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15. You MUST often use more
than one source.
You MUST follow a research
methodology.
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16. Identify problem/areas for research
Identify Key words / phrases
Sources
◦Primary source(s)
◦Secondary source(s)
Updating – make sure your sources are
up to date (though note the relevance of
changes in the historic or earlier
versions)!
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17. What is the area or point of law?
Example: Human Rights: UK
Human Rights & Government
Public Law: Constitution?
Government & Governance: Relationship with citizen?
Powers (powers of government in relation to human rights)
Rule of Law: relationship with?
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18. Find key research words
Be aware of
 synonyms: e.g. tax law / revenue law
 related terms: e.g. ownership /
possession
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19. Primary sources: statute, common law
Secondary sources: practitioner texts, legal dictionaries,
textbooks, guides to case law and legislation, academic articles
Other Sources: eg practice manuals; media sources.
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20. Keep notes of your research
Use proper references along the way
Ensure that you apply or relate the research
to answer the question (this means noting or
addressing the limitations too).
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21. Depends on the source.
Case law – e.g. Check Current Law
Statute – Official Gazette/ Statute
Volume.
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22. The Law Reports
Monthly Law Reports
Annual Law Digest
Other authoritative series
Casebooks and textbook summaries are NOT
authoritative!
Be discerning with internet sources.
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23. Check your work regularly and make sure
the law is up to date (especially in fast
developing areas – don’t become blinkered
or myopic in relation to your specific
focus)

Develop the habit of PROOF READING.
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24. Language, fluency and punctuation
The identification of a legal issue that is appropriate in
that it requires and justifies research
Ensure that the topic stays law based and doesn’t veer
into a non-legal essay (though note this is not a bar to
inter-disciplinary research)
The identify cation of relevant and helpful key words and
phrases for the identified legal issue
The paper is accurate, concise and focused and is
correctly updated
Evidence of use of authoritative research sources
An expressed logical and methodical approach to the
research
Accurate Bibliography
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25. THOROUGH
RELEVANT
ACCURATE
UP-TO-DATE
PROPERLY REFERENCED
PROPERLY WRITTEN
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