Legal Research and Methodology : Part 1

Heyya!

I was made to understand that Legal Research and Methodology (LRM) is a compulsory paper for all law undergraduates, whatever law school you're from. Anyways, I'm taking it up this semester and I am lucky enough to get the best and also my favourite lecturer to teach this paper. It appears to be a bit dry (I'm being nice, it's a lot dry) but it really depends on what area of law you're researching on, and definitely your area of interest. As for me, I'm the crazy nut who fancies Contract. Don't judge. Haha.

Now, let's get on to it. So, What is Legal Research?

Legal Research arises when a researcher is confronted with an area in law that has a lacuna, an area of social science or human interest that needs to be regulated, or regulations that needs to be reviewed because of its unsuitability or incomprehensiveness to the progression that has taken place.

In short, when :

1) There is a lacuna/lacunae in the law

2) The law is obsolete and needs to be reviewed.


Significance of a research

A research provides an important way to obtain accurate and reliable information.


Types of research

There are two types of research, namely Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research.

Qualitative Research   : Data collected as words and/or images are not numerically coded for analysis.

Quantitative Research : Numerical data only.

A legal research is a qualitative research as it is based on reasons and opinions even.

There are two sources to a Qualitative Research i.e :

i)   Primary Source     ---> Statutes

ii) Secondary Source  ---> Articles and journals

Before one embarks on a legal research, they have to submit a proposal beforehand, called a.... research proposal (duhhh). So, what is the significance of a research proposal?

Significance of a Research Proposal

1) The proposal lays forth the research problem, literature review and the research methodology.

2) The proposal expounds on the research process.

3) It functions as a blueprint for the researcher.



This was what I gathered from my first lecture last week. Will update soon.


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