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Legal Research Methods and Professional Skills

LAW501

Course CodeLAW501
ECTS

Course Description

Learners will develop a range of skills relating to legal research and ethical issues, which will both support their learning and constitute valuable transferable research and professional skills in their own right.

Course Objectives

Learners will develop a range of skills relating to legal research and ethical issues, which will both support their learning and constitute valuable transferable research and professional skills in their own right.

Key Topics

  1. LO1: Understand how to effectively create research projects.
  2. LO2: Understand how to review literature in support of the research.
  3. LO3: Understand ethical and legal issues in relation to research.
  4. LO4: Understand how professional skills are developed.

Course Outline

WeekTopics
1Why undertake a legal research project
2Digital resources: library e-journals, legal databases such as Westlaw, safe and valid internet sources, peer review
3Research methodologies: qualitative and quantitative
4What a literature review is and how it summarises current thinking
5Structuring a literature review: introduction, aims, methodology, gaps, conclusion, references
6Analysing existing literature reviews; identifying gaps in knowledge
7Ethical issues in research
MidtermMidterm evaluation
9Legal issues in research, including GDPR
10Professional legal skills and the expectations of professional bodies such as the SRA
11Critical self-reflection, professional shortfalls and continuing professional development planning
12Applying Legal Research Methods and Professional Skills in practice: case studies
13Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing
14Assignment workshop: drafting, feedback and improvement
15Review and coursework completion
FinalFinal assessment and submission

Learning Outcomes

  1. LO1 Understand how to effectively create research projects.
  2. 1.1 Explain the benefits, both personal and professional, in undertaking a legal research project.
  3. 1.2 Explain what Legal Research Skills involves.
  4. 1.3 Describe how to effectively use digital resources and e-resources.
  5. 1.4 Discuss different types of research methodology.
  6. 1.5 Analyse various resources and methodologies to help develop a research project.
  7. LO2 Understand how to review literature in support of the research.
  8. 2.1 Explain what a literature review is.
  9. 2.2 Analyse existing literature reviews.
  10. 2.3 Explain how a literature review is structured.
  11. 2.4 Identify gaps or areas in knowledge in carrying out a literature review.
  12. LO3 Understand ethical and legal issues in relation to research.
  13. 3.1 Consider the ethical issues that relate generally to research.
  14. 3.2 Explain the ethical constraints that you should apply to your own research project.
  15. 3.3 Discuss the legal issues relating to research.
  16. LO4 Understand how professional skills are developed.
  17. 4.1 Understand different professional skills.
  18. 4.2 Explain various professional bodies and their expectation of skills of professionals.
  19. 4.3 Critically reflect own skills and identify which skills are needing further development.
  20. 4.4 Understand the need for professional development and how to achieve this.
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