Module: Legal Research and Methods

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Legal Research and Methods
Module Code	LG135
School	School of Law & Government
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Kevin O'Sullivan Semester 2: Kevin O'Sullivan Autumn: Kevin O'Sullivan
Module Teachers	Adam McAuley Kevin O'Sullivan
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

None

Description

This module aims to introduce students to important legal doctrines and enable them to understand how to find, use and understand key legal sources. The module aims to equip students with important skills in terms of how to undertake library-based and empirical legal research. The aim is to develop analytical techniques at the beginning of the programme, which will be developed as students progress through their degree.

Learning Outcomes

1. Locate and utilise core legal sources in order to solve practical legal problems.
2. Locate and analyse case law and legislation.
3. Undertake legal research both in terms of traditional library based research and empirical work (qualitative and quantitative).
4. Utilise legal databases as a research tool.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	48	Reading for lectures
Independent Study	12	Research training
Assignment Completion	24	Research Project
Assignment Completion	17	Research design
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Weeks 1 to 12
Week 1 Introduction Week 2 Citation and Referencing Week 3 Finding Legal Sources Week 4 Researching Case Law Week 5 Evaluating Internet Resources Week 6 Researching Legislation Week 7 Reading Week Week 8 Statutory Interpretation Week 9 Researching Constitutional Law & Constitutional Interpretation Week 10 Positive Law and Natural Law Theory Week 11 Theories of Legal Adjudication Week 12 Conclusions

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total
Course Work Breakdown
Project	Empirical research design	50%
Practical/skills evaluation	Empirical research project	50%

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Cotterrell,: 0, The Sociology of Law: An Introduction, (latest ed),
Higgins & Tatham,: 0, Successful Legal Writing, (latest ed),
Banaker & Travers,: 0, Theory and Method in Socio-Legal Research,
Schweppe et al: 2011, How to think, write and cite; Key skills for Irish law students, Roundhall,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

EPL	BA in Economics, Politics and Law

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