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Module Code - Title:

LA6001 - ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH METHODS

Year Last Offered:

2023/4

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

0

Tutorial

0

Other

0

Private

0

Credits

3

Grading Type:

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

To equip the students with the skills necessary to engage in sustained research in law at postgraduate level. The focus will be on assessing the relative merits of the various methodologies used in legal research, as well as developing the research skills of students and training the students in research ethics.

Syllabus:

This course will equip students with the skills necessary to engage in sustained research in law at postgraduate level. The focus will be on assessing the relative merits of the various methodologies used in legal research, as well as developing the research skills of students and training the students in research ethics

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Discuss sources of law in civil and common law jurisdictions Discuss the implications of human rights issues in legal research Contrast some of the main approaches to research in law Articulate the ethical implications of their research

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

N/A

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

Use a research library Use on-line databases including Lexis, Westlaw and Justis Use the European documentation centre to research issues in European law Use an established system of citation and bibliographic software

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Clinch, P. (2001) Using a Law Library: a student¿s guide to legal research skills 2nd ed , Oxford: Oxford University Press.
McConville, M. and Hong Chui, W. (2007) Legal Research Methods , Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press
Salter, M. and Mason, J (2007) Writing Law Dissertations: an Introduction and Guide to the Conduct of Legal Research , Edinburgh: Pearson Education

Other Relevant Texts:

Bryman, A. (2007) Social Research Methods 3rd ed , Oxford: Oxford University Press
Garner, B (2002) The Elements of Legal Style 2nd ed , Oxford: Clarendon Press

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester - Year to be First Offered:

Module Leader:

Laura.Cahillane@ul.ie