Directed and detailed guidance on the development of research skills
- Guidance on methods of carrying out a literature review
- Application of those skills in a specialised area of study presented in the form of a written project

The Project Co-ordinator will hold preliminary meetings with individual students to discuss refine and approve a Project Outline produced by the student. The student will chose the topic on which the outline is based. On approval, each student will be assigned a supervisor according to the area of law being investigated. After the initial tutorial with the student's supervisor there will be an additional 4 contact hours allocated to supervisors' meetings. Follow up tutorials may be arranged according to the needs of individual students. Individual meetings will focus attention on the relevant research and written skills required to enable the student to write the project through independent research

[5 meetings. Preliminary meeting of 1 hour followed by 4 x 1 hours of meetings]
[5 hours]

- Independent Research

This will consist of research in pursuance of investigating the topic chosen for the project. This may include,inter alia, library research, interviews, postal questionnaires and structured surveys, subject to ethical approval. Students will be referred to recent case law and legislation while the use of electronic sources and inter active learning will be encouraged.

[145 hours]

The 100% Project of 5000 words will assess all Learning Outcomes.
Submission at the end of the relevant pattern chosen
To pass this module, students must obtain a mark of at least 40%

Access to
Appropriate texts, legislation and case law relevant to the topic chosen
Project guidelines
Electronic sources and databases

There is no set text for this module.

1. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO FORMULATE A PROJECT PROPOSAL
Communication

2. DEMONSTRATE THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO CONSTRUCT AND PRODUCE A SUSTAINED PIECE OF LAW BASED RESEARCH
Analysis
Knowledge and Understanding

3. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO TRANSPOSE MATERIAL GATHERED AS A RESULT OF THE EXERCISE OF THOSE SKILLS INTO A COHERENT AND STRUCTURED WRITTEN PROJECT SHOWING AN UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE AREA OF LAW BEING EXAMINED.
Enquiry

4. DEMONSTRATE AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF REFERENCING SKILLS
Learning

5.DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO SYNTHESISE A RANGE OF SOURCES WHICH INFORMS THE DISCUSSION OF THE TOPIC BEING EXAMINED
Analysis
Reflection

6. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO EXHIBIT AND DISPLAY A RANGE OF RESEARCH SKILLS
Enquiry

You will develop your research skills by choosing a legal or socio-legal topic and researching that area. You will learn through individual tutorials with the module tutor, or with a subject expert. The key to research project success is keeping in touch with your supportive supervisor and reading around your area. You will undertake specific, focussed research, as well as some wider reading on the subject to establish the landscape and context of your topic. You will learn how to write a literature review and you will also reflect on some practical scenarios illustrating how legal research can sometimes raise ethical issues