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This course provides an introduction to basic research for students undertaking an LL.B. Honours year, a J.D., an LL.M., or a Ph.D. in Law. Students will discuss the philosophy of research and gain a deep understanding of theoretical perspectives and epistemological assumptions underpinning different research approaches in legal scholarship. The focus of this course is on preparing students to develop their research proposals and to ensure that they have skills which allow them to identify and formulate meaningful research problems, to plan and execute a critical literature review, and to ground their research in a theoretical perspective that will inform their methodology, research strategy and design. Students will be expected to improve their critical thinking skills and to learn to read and critique previous research published in journals associated with law. The course provides an overview of both qualitative and quantitative research methodology and associated methods. Research quality is emphasized throughout the course as students begin to make critical decisions about the formulation of their research question and the most effective research design to address that question.

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. understand the theoretical perspectives and epistemological assumptions underpinning different research approaches and methodologies in basic legal research;
2. evaluate the role of theory in research and understand the importance of the selection and use of a theoretical framework in conducting basic research;
3. develop the research skills required for planning and executing basic legal research, including conducting literature searches and reviews, formulating research questions, choosing and defending a research approach and methodology, and selecting specific methods and techniques appropriate for answering a research questions.