Module Descriptors
LEGAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY A
LAWS70881
Key Facts
Faculty of Business, Education and Law
Level 7
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Angus Mcdonald
Email: A.H.McDonald@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 10
Independent Study Hours: 140
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 30%
- ASSIGNMENT - SECOND ASSIGNMENT weighted at 35%
- ASSIGNMENT - THIRD ASSIGNMENT weighted at 35%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
Three pieces of written work: (Assessing All Learning Outcomes)
A Literature Review 30%
A Critical Reading of a selected Case Report 35%
A Review of an Academic Article 35%
The two latter peices of work will be 1,500 and 2,000 words respectively.
Assessment Criteria
Fail
Exhibits some knowledge but little understanding: limited evidence of research or appropriate reading. Primarily descriptive and/or contains irrelevant material. Poor spelling or other grammatical errors.
Pass
Exhibits knowledge and a degree of understanding but contains little in the way of critical analysis. Some evidence of research or appropriate reading; lacking in structure but contains relevant material. Satisfactory referencing, citation and bibliography.
Merit
Illustrates good knowledge application and comprehension. Material wholly relevant to the question. Good presentational skills; well structured arguments. Evidence of depth and breadth of research as well as a degree of independent judgement. Demonstreates a clear ability to analyse, think critically and synthesise ideas.
Distinction
Illustrates extensive reading and research appropriate to the question. Illustrates a clear understanding of the interrelationship of concepts, ideas, theories and arguments; contains strong critical and analytical evaluation of material using a wide variety of sources. A degree of originality. Excellently presented in terms of structure, style and referencing.
A Literature Review 30%
A Critical Reading of a selected Case Report 35%
A Review of an Academic Article 35%
The two latter peices of work will be 1,500 and 2,000 words respectively.
Assessment Criteria
Fail
Exhibits some knowledge but little understanding: limited evidence of research or appropriate reading. Primarily descriptive and/or contains irrelevant material. Poor spelling or other grammatical errors.
Pass
Exhibits knowledge and a degree of understanding but contains little in the way of critical analysis. Some evidence of research or appropriate reading; lacking in structure but contains relevant material. Satisfactory referencing, citation and bibliography.
Merit
Illustrates good knowledge application and comprehension. Material wholly relevant to the question. Good presentational skills; well structured arguments. Evidence of depth and breadth of research as well as a degree of independent judgement. Demonstreates a clear ability to analyse, think critically and synthesise ideas.
Distinction
Illustrates extensive reading and research appropriate to the question. Illustrates a clear understanding of the interrelationship of concepts, ideas, theories and arguments; contains strong critical and analytical evaluation of material using a wide variety of sources. A degree of originality. Excellently presented in terms of structure, style and referencing.
Module Indicative Content
1. Locating legal sources - the library as a resource centre.
2. Information Technology - the internet as a legal source, Lexis, Westlaw and other sites.
3. Assessing sources: primary, secondary, tertiary sources - assessing their validity and reliability.
4. Law as a social institution - possible approaches to the study of law.
5. Law, communication, rhetoric and textual analysis.
6. Legal texts - cases, statutes, reports, thesis, articles.
2. Information Technology - the internet as a legal source, Lexis, Westlaw and other sites.
3. Assessing sources: primary, secondary, tertiary sources - assessing their validity and reliability.
4. Law as a social institution - possible approaches to the study of law.
5. Law, communication, rhetoric and textual analysis.
6. Legal texts - cases, statutes, reports, thesis, articles.
Module Learning Strategies
This module will be strongly student centred. It will be delivered through a series of 5x2 hour seminars supported by student research and personal study. Students will follow a set pattern contained in the module handbook.
Module Resources
Well stocked library
Computer facilities with internet access
Course materials
Computer facilities with internet access
Course materials
Module Texts
No set text.