While individual topics will vary, core skills and areas of focus include:

* Framing legal research questions
* Designing and structuring legal research proposals
* Conducting doctrinal, comparative, socio-legal or policy-oriented research
* Evaluating case law, legislation, academic and practitioner sources
* Methodology in legal and interdisciplinary research
* Legal referencing and academic integrity (OSCOLA)
* Writing at length with structure, clarity, and critical engagement
* Reflection, ethics, and positionality in legal research

Assessment 1: Legal Research Proposal - This assessment is aligned with Learning Outcomes 1 and 2. Students will formulate an independent legal research question, clearly define its conceptual boundaries, and justify a research methodology appropriate to the proposed enquiry. The proposal is intended to demonstrate clarity of research design, methodological coherence, and alignment with legal academic standards.

A pass must be achieved in Assessment 1 in order to progress to Assessment 2.

Assessment 2: Dissertation - This extended written project addresses all four Learning Outcomes. It provides an opportunity for students to engage critically with legal sources, construct a sustained and persuasive argument, apply legal methodologies in context, and reflect on the ethical and academic dimensions of their research process. The dissertation must demonstrate originality, analytical depth, and precise legal referencing, supported by appropriate case law and scholarly materials.

The learning strategy for this module is designed to support students in developing the advanced independent research and academic writing skills expected at Level 7. It begins with a series of initial taught sessions that introduce key principles of legal research design, research methodologies, advanced referencing practices, and strategies for structuring and writing a dissertation. These sessions lay the foundation for effective and critically engaged legal scholarship.

Each student will be allocated a dedicated supervisor to provide one-to-one academic guidance throughout the research process. Students will benefit from four structured supervisory meetings, which will support the refinement of research questions, the development of appropriate methodologies, and the maintenance of academic rigour throughout the dissertation. Supervisors will also offer formative feedback on research proposals and draft chapters to help students reflect on their progress and enhance the quality of their final submission.

Independent learning is at the core of this module. Students are expected to manage their time effectively over an extended period in order to conduct research, engage critically with primary and secondary sources, and produce a sustained and well-structured piece of academic writing. The module is supported by resources and training that build digital literacy, including guidance on using Microsoft Word for formatting long documents and advanced training in navigating legal databases and digital library systems.

1. Formulate a viable and independent legal research question, situate it within a clear conceptual framework, and demonstrate understanding of its relevance to legal scholarship and practice.
University Learning Outcome: 1.Knowledge and understanding 2. Learning

2. Select and justify a research methodology appropriate to the legal discipline, demonstrating analytical rigour and the practical application of legal research techniques.
University Learning Outcome: 4, Analysis 7. Application

3. Critically engage with and evaluate primary and secondary sources of law and legal commentary, constructing a coherent and persuasive argument supported by appropriate authority and accurate referencing.
University Learning Outcome: 3. Enquiry 4.Analysis 6.Communication 7. Application

4. Demonstrate reflective insight into the ethical, academic, and practical dimensions of the research process, articulating lessons learned and implications for future enquiry
University Learning Outcome: 2. Learning 8. Reflection

Westlaw, Lexis+, OSCOLA referencing guides, Blackboard

M Salter and J Mason, Writing Law Dissertations (2nd edn, Pearson Education 2013)
M McConville and WH Chui, Research Methods for Law (OUP 2007)
T Hutchinson, Researching and Writing in Law (Routledge 2010)
L Lammasniemi, Law Dissertations: A Step-by-Step Guide (Routledge 2023)

OSCOLA referencing guide

N/A

This module allows you to undertake a substantial piece of independent research on a legal issue that interests you, under the supervision of a tutor. It provides an opportunity to develop and showcase advanced legal research, critical analysis, and written communication skills. You will formulate and submit a proposal and complete a dissertation of 12,000 words. This module is ideal preparation for careers in law, policy, academia, or further postgraduate study.