Module Descriptors
LEGAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (DISTANCE)
LAWS70974
Key Facts
Faculty of Business, Education and Law
Level 7
15 credits
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 15
Independent Study Hours: 135
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- RESEARCH PROPOSAL weighted at 50%
- VIDEO PRESENTATION - INDIVIDUAL weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Resources
Access to appropriate texts, legislation and case law.
Module Study Guide
Computing facilities will be needed to access material available on the web and specialist online databases.
Module Study Guide
Computing facilities will be needed to access material available on the web and specialist online databases.
Module Texts
R Huxley-Binns, L Riley and C Turner UNLOCKING LEGAL LEARNING (Hodder Education, London, 2nd Edn: 2008)
G Holborn, LEGAL RESEARCH GUIDE (Butterworths Lexis Nexis, London, 2nd Edn: 2001)
A Bryman, SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (OUP, Oxford, 2001)
G Holborn, LEGAL RESEARCH GUIDE (Butterworths Lexis Nexis, London, 2nd Edn: 2001)
A Bryman, SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (OUP, Oxford, 2001)
Module Learning Strategies
This module will be strongly student centred. It will be delivered through a series of 5 x 2 hour seminars supported by your research and personal study and there will be an additional 5 hours of student guidance, supervision and support. You will follow a set pattern contained in the module handbook.
Formative assessment on the online discussion forum will be used to encourage research on the subject area.
SMALL GROUP SESSIONS
10 hours of online seminars. You will be expected to post answers onto the discussion forum in advance of the seminar to enable wider discussion of the topic (5 hours asynchronous contact). A live 'Webinar' will be held during each seminar session (5 x 1 hour asynchronous contact) based on the posted answers in order to give you generic and personal feedback and to facilitate further discussion on the topic.
DIRECTED STUDY AND INDEPENDENT LEARNING
Principally this will consist of study to consolidate and develop an understanding of material presented in whole group and online sessions, preparation for work to be undertaken prior to the webinars, and research and preparation relating to the coursework assignment. Directed study will involve the utilisation of information technology (specifically the module blackboard pages and use of relevant legal electronic databases such as Westlaw, Lexis, LawTel etc) which enables interaction with relevant material, at a pace and time convenient to the user. You will be provided with general guidance in the module study guide and receive specific guidance and training where needed.
(135 hours)
Formative assessment on the online discussion forum will be used to encourage research on the subject area.
SMALL GROUP SESSIONS
10 hours of online seminars. You will be expected to post answers onto the discussion forum in advance of the seminar to enable wider discussion of the topic (5 hours asynchronous contact). A live 'Webinar' will be held during each seminar session (5 x 1 hour asynchronous contact) based on the posted answers in order to give you generic and personal feedback and to facilitate further discussion on the topic.
DIRECTED STUDY AND INDEPENDENT LEARNING
Principally this will consist of study to consolidate and develop an understanding of material presented in whole group and online sessions, preparation for work to be undertaken prior to the webinars, and research and preparation relating to the coursework assignment. Directed study will involve the utilisation of information technology (specifically the module blackboard pages and use of relevant legal electronic databases such as Westlaw, Lexis, LawTel etc) which enables interaction with relevant material, at a pace and time convenient to the user. You will be provided with general guidance in the module study guide and receive specific guidance and training where needed.
(135 hours)
Module Indicative Content
You are required to show an informed and at the same time critical understanding of the fundamental legal principles which apply to research, including a consideration of:
- Undertaking a range of advanced research activity related to Law including a comparative element.
- Developing advanced level skills in writing, summarising and critical assessment.
- Reaching a critical understanding of research strategies through the comparison, evaluation and justification of quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
- Appropriate management of research ethics.
- Undertaking a range of advanced research activity related to Law including a comparative element.
- Developing advanced level skills in writing, summarising and critical assessment.
- Reaching a critical understanding of research strategies through the comparison, evaluation and justification of quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
- Appropriate management of research ethics.
Module Additional Assessment Details
One formative assessment analysing the literature in the area
One summative assessment consisting of a research proposal (4,000 words) assessing learning outcomes (1-4).
One 20mins video presentation of the research proposal submitted in the assignment weighted at 50% (assessing learning outcome 2)
To pass this module, students must achieve a mark of at least 50% in each element
One summative assessment consisting of a research proposal (4,000 words) assessing learning outcomes (1-4).
One 20mins video presentation of the research proposal submitted in the assignment weighted at 50% (assessing learning outcome 2)
To pass this module, students must achieve a mark of at least 50% in each element