RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND LEGAL EDUCATION IN INDIA

LL.M, 2012-2013

WBNUJS

MODULE I:
INTRODUCTION

I. Meaning and significance of research; Reflective thinking, scientific method, legal research,
pure and applied research; the venues and avenues of legal research
II. Objectivity and value neutrality in legal research. Research ethics, integrity, and intellectual
honesty. Norms and standards against plagiarism. Research traits and abilities
III. Purposes or objectives of legal research.
IV. Types of legal research- Doctrinal and Non-doctrinal legal research, Reform oriented
research; Fundamental and philosophical research.
V. Inputs of law-society interaction and of constitutional values in legal research
VI. Legal research for law reform; analytical research, critical research, research method for
feminist and ethnic studies
VII. Trend analysis, history of ideas approach, historical legal research

Compulsory Readings:
i. Frederick L. Whitney, The Elements Of Research, ( New York: Prentice Hall Inc., 1950), p. 1-
29,
ii. Frederick L. Whitney, The Elements Of Research, ( New York: Prentice Hall Inc., 1950), p.30-
67.
iii. B. A. Wortley, Some Reflections on Legal Research, in Legal Research and Methodology, (S.K.
Verma and M. Afzal Wani ed.), (New Delhi: Indian Law Institute, 2001), p. 1-15.
iv. S.N. Jain, Doctrinal and Non-Doctrinal Legal Research, in Legal Research and Methodology,
(S.K. Verma and M. Afzal Wani ed.), (New Delhi: Indian Law Institute, 2001),p. 68-89.

Suggested Readings:
i. Anwarul Yaqin, Legal Research and Writing Methods, (Nagpur: Lexis Nexis Buttherworths
Wadhwa, 2008)
ii. Digital Library- Legal Education And Research, Prof. (Dr.)Ranbir Singh et al., ed., (New Delhi:
NLU Delhi Press, 2010).
S.K. Verma and M. Afzal Wani ed., Legal Research and Methodology, (New Delhi: Indian Law
Institute, 2001).
 MODULE II:
IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH THEMES

I. Origin, Selection and Definition of research problem.

II. Evaluation of previous research or literature survey. Working bibliography
III. Preparation of research design and agendum of research procedure for various types of
legal research.
IV. Formulation of hypothesis, features of good hypothesis, development of theme, paradigms
and perspective; verification of hypothesis; research questions;
V. Use of primary and secondary materials; analysis of legislation, judgment, customs and
treaties
VI. Descriptive method of legal research and comparative legal research.
VII. Use of computers, internet and e-materials in legal research

Compulsory Readings:
i. Frederick L. Whitney, The Elements Of Research, (New York: Prentice Hall Inc., 1950), p.68-
96.
ii. Frederick L. Whitney, The Elements Of Research, (New York: Prentice Hall Inc., 1950), p. 97-
108.
iii. Frederick L. Whitney, The Elements Of Research, (New York: Prentice Hall Inc., 1950), p. 109-
130.
iv. Frederick L. Whitney, The Elements Of Research, (New York: Prentice Hall Inc., 1950), p.
131- 152.
v. E. P. Ellinger and K. J. Keith, Legal Research: Techniques and Ideas, in Legal Research and
Methodology, (S.K. Verma and M. Afzal Wani ed.), (New Delhi: Indian Law Institute,2001), p.
219-240.
vi. Anwarul Yaqin, Legal Research and Writing Methods, (Nagpur: Lexis Nexis Buttherworths
Wadhwa, 2008), p. 25-41.
vii. David Ibbetson, Historical Research In Law, in The Oxford Handbook Of Legal Studies, (Peter
Cane, Mark V. Tushnet ed.),(Oxford: Oxford University Press,2003), p. 863-879.
viii. Frederick L. Whitney, The Elements Of Research, (New York: Prentice Hall Inc., 1950), p.153-
191.
ix. Geoffrey Wilson, Comparative Legal Scholarship, in Research Methods For Law, (Mike
McCanville & Wing Hang Chni ed.), (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press), p. 87- 103.
x. Norman Blaikie, Designing Social Research, (Cambridge: Polity Press, 2000), p. 58-71.
xi. P. M. Bakshi, Legal Research And Law Reform, in Legal Research and Methodology, (S.K.
Verma and M. Afzal Wani ed.), (New Delhi: Indian Law Institute, 2001), p. 111-137.

Suggested Readings:
 i. Bob Hanke, Intelligent Research Design: A Guide For Beginning Researchers In The Social
Sciences, (Oxford: Oxford University Press,2009).
ii. Terry Hutchinson, Research And Writing In Law, ( Sydney: Lawbook Co., 2009).
iii. S.K. Verma and M. Afzal Wani ed., Legal Research and Methodology,(New Delhi: Indian Law
Institute, 2001).

MODULE III:
SOCIOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-LEGAL RESEARCH

I. Empirical or sociological methods of research. Scientific facts, variables of different types

II. Tools of collection of data in sociological research: questionnaire, interview, observation
study,
III. Case study method, Statistical method, sampling method,
IV. Difficulties and problems involved in conducting socio-legal research in India.
V. Current status of socio-legal research.
VI. Biographical research and behavioral studies.
VII. Analysis of data and report writing; Uniform Citation and reference methods and their
application

Compulsory Readings:
i. Reza Banakar and Mark Travers, Theory and Methodology in Socio-Legal Research,
(Portland, Oregon: Hart Publishing,2005), p. 1-25.
ii. Milton Derber, What The Lawyer Can Learn From Social Science, 16. Journal of Legal
Education, 145, (1963-1964).
iii. Frederick L. Whitney, The Elements Of Research, ( New York: Prentice Hall Inc., 1950), p.295-
322.
iv. Devendra Thakur, Research Methodology In Social Sciences,(New Delhi: Deep & Deep
Publications,1998), p. 37-44, 101-111, 112-146, 147-162.
v. Frederick L. Whitney, The Elements Of Research, ( New York: Prentice Hall Inc., 1950), p.404-
435.
vi. John Baldwyn, Empirical Research In Law, in The Oxford Handbook Of Legal Studies, (Peter
Cane, Mark V. Tushnet ed.),(Oxford: Oxford University Press,2003), p. 880-900.
vii. Ian Dobson & Francis Johns, Qualitative Legal Research, in Research Methods For Law,
(Mike McCanville & Wing Hang Chni ed.), (Edinburgh : Edinburgh University Press), p. 16-
45.
viii. Wing Hong Chui, Quantitative Legal Research, in Research Methods For Law, (Mike
McCanville & Wing Hang Chni ed.), (Edinburgh : Edinburgh University Press), p. 46-68.
 ix. Upendra Baxi, Socio-Legal Research In India- A Programscrift, in Legal Research and
Methodology, (S.K. Verma and M. Afzal Wani ed.), (New Delhi: Indian Law Institute,2001),
p.644-679.
x. S.K. Agarwala, Law and Behavioral Studies In India, in Legal Research and Methodology,
(S.K. Verma and M. Afzal Wani ed.), (New Delhi: Indian Law Institute, 2001),p. 90-110.

Suggested Readings:
i. Keith F. Punch, Introduction To Social Research: Quantitative And Qualitative Approaches,
(London: Sage,2011).
ii. S.K. Verma and M. Afzal Wani ed., Legal Research and Methodology,(New Delhi: Indian Law
Institute, 2001).
iii. David M. Trubek and Sheldon Jay Plager, The Place of Law and Social Science in the
Structure of Legal Education, 35 Journal of Legal Education, 483, (1985)

MODULE IV:
LEGAL EDUCATION IN INDIA:

I. Purpose of legal education. Historical background of legal education. Trends of

development, global challenges, future possibilities
II. Bar Council of India and University Grants Commission’s role in Legal Education. Statutory
position of BCI and legal education reforms; Justice Ahmedi committee on legal education.
III. Role of Universities, law colleges and law schools in Legal Education. Funding of legal
education. All India Law Teachers Conferences.
IV. Clinical legal education; Legal literacy and legal aid programmes; Curriculum reform in legal
education. Credit systems and exchange programmes. Examination and evaluation method
V. Teaching methods employed in legal education: Lecture method, Case method, Problem
method, Socrates method. Techniques of teaching law.
VI. Legal education in various states and law schools. Internships, moot courts, drafting skills
VII. Access to legal education; CLAT and other issues; Reservation in legal education in India.
VIII. Legal education at post graduate level or LL.M including research degrees like M.Phil and
Ph.D. Continuing legal education

Compulsory Readings:
i. Chapter IV, Legal Education.[photocopied doc- source available with the library]
ii. M. P. Jain, Outlines Of Indian Legal History,(Nagpur: Wadhwa and Company, 2006), p. 691-709.
iii. Lovely Dasgupta, Reforming Indian Legal Education: Linking Research and Teaching, 59 Journal
of Legal Education, 432 (2009- 2010).
 iv. Prof. Chandra Krishnamurthy, Legal Education and Legal Profession in India, 36 International
Journal of Legal Information, 245, (2008).
v. Ajay Pandey, Experimenting With Clinical Legal Education to Address the Disconnect Between
the Larger Promise of Law and its Grassroots Reality in India, 26 Maryland Journal of
International Law, 135 (2011).
vi. Julius G. Getman, The Development of Indian Legal Education: The Impact of the Language
Problem, 21 Journal of Legal Education 513 (1968-1969).
vii. Manubhai Pragaji Vashi v. State of Maharashtra and Others, AIR 1989 Bom. 296.
viii. Dr. M. Afzal Wani, Restructuring Legal Education For the 21st Century: Urgencies Under The
Interaction Of Science, Technology and Law, Indian Bar Review, Vol. 25(2) 1998, p. 97-108.
ix. Dr. Rupam Jagota and Karishma Abrol, Legal Education In the Digital Age: An Analysis, in Access
To Legal Information & Research In Digital Age, 118-135, [ Prof. (Dr) Ranbir Singh et al.
ed.],2012.
x. Dr. A.K. Avasthi, Legal Education- Role Of The Bar Council Of India, Judicial
Intervention/Suggestion, Indian Bar Review, Vol-29(3&4), 2002, p. 9-30.

Suggested Readings:
i. John Bell, Legal Education, in The Oxford Handbook Of Legal Studies, ( Peter Cane, Mark V.
Tushnet ed.),Oxford University Press, p. 901-919, (2003).
ii. Gerald F. Hess and Steven Friedland, Techniques For Teaching Law, (Carolina Academic Press,
1999).
iii. N. R. Madhava Menon, Training In Legal Education: Some Comparative Insights From Indian
And American Experience, 49 JILI (2007), p.399-408.
iv. Rajeev Dhavan, Legal Research In India: The Role of The Indian Law Institute, 34 American
Journal of Comparative Law, 527, (1986).
v. The 184th Law Commission Report on The Legal Education & Professional Training and
Proposals for Amendments to the Advocates Act, 1961 and the University Grants Commission
Act, 1956.
vi. Bar Council of India on Rules of Legal Education.
vii. Margaret Y.K. Woo, Reflections on International Legal Education and Exchanges, 51 Journal of
Legal Education 449 (2001).
viii. Theodre A. Mahr, An Introduction to Law and Law Libraries in India, 82 Law. Libr. J. 91 (1990).
ix. Manoher Rao and Srinivas Rao, (Ed) Legal Education in India, Gogia Law House
 Topics for projects

1. Access to legal education

2. Curriculum reform in legal education

3. Clinical legal education

4. Legal aid, legal awareness camps and other activities in law schools

5. Historical background of legal education

6. BCI and legal education reforms

7. UGC’s role in legal education

8. Governance structure and funding of law schools and law colleges

9. Comparative study of methods of teaching law

10. Legal education in various states and law schools

11. Biographical research

12. Comparative legal research

13. Historical legal research

14. Questionnaire for legal research

15. Behavioural studies in legal research

16. Observation study in legal research

17. Case study method in legal research

18. Interview in legal research

19. Norms against plagiarism

20. Preparation of research design