Course Title: Research Methodology and Legal Writing

Course Code: LLM -103

address a research question,

An approachto enquiry and a set of procedures that are applied to
questioning
research is a continuing process which includes reasoning. reflection and rigorous
course is to provide students an
in areas that interest us as researchers. The objective of this
understanding of how to evaluate existing materials and design your own research process.
Apart from exposing students tothe essential steps for conducting research such as identifying
aresearchable problem. searching for relevant literature, choosing an appropriate methodology
and framing acoherent research proposal, thiscourse willhelp them understand the important
considerations involved in the writing process, particularly in the context of doctrinalas well
as empirical legal research. The course also provides an understanding of the fundamental tools
of conducting research like library resources and digital databases. The course is based on five
units.

UNIT I: Research Prerequisites

D. 8ferenee
Moving from Researchable Issues to Research questions between
Argument Construction v. Empirical Summarizing v. Reporting Reseach
Meho d
Presurmption v. Assumption
Foregrounding v. Backgrounding
Construct and Operationalizing Construct
mesnodold
2) Doetina
Non
Quantitative v. Qualitative rescarch doc torinat
Validity v. Reliability, Plagiarism Emp ieap
Accountability: Credibility; Auditability and Triangulation )
Suggested Readings:
Non; Empi i e
) &uanttatve
º W. L. Neuman: Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches,
Pearson Education Inc., New Delhi. guat ta tve
Bryman Alan: Social Research Methods, Oxford University Press./a|i u
UNIT II: Research Requisites

Identifying research prob<ems

Reseeh ptoblem
Research questions
How to w t e

posaf" Litera tue Revie pe

HAoeis
 Literature Review

Designing research and engaging with research studies

Suggested Readings:
Research Methods in Law, Routledge.
> Dawn Watkins and Mandy Burton (eds.):
Empirical Legal Research (Edward
> Leeuvw& Schmeets, 'Research Problems', in
Elgar Publishing Limited, 2016).
'Formulating a Problem: Hypotheses
>Cooper, H., Hedges, L. V., &Valentine, J. C.,
ResearchSynthesis and Meta
and Problems in Rescarch Synthesis', in Handbook of
Analysis, 2nd edn. (Russell Sage Foundation, 2009).
Tmpptanee
Relevanea
UNIT III: Fundamental Tools for Conducting Research
)
Using Library Resources and Browsing through the Thesis Section. oitatin in
Identifying and Accessing Academic Materials (peer-reviewed and non-peer
reviewed). earch
Using Digital Databases (subscriptjon-based and open access). 2) Rele op
Classification of Research Sources and Materials (especially for preparing a
4e chnolo9 1
Bibliography and Survey of Literature). in
Science and technology in Research: Computer and Its Role-Computer.
Technology-Computer System-Characteristics; Processing Interpreting and Analysing
Data-Use of Statistical Tools inResearch-Measures of Asymmetries and Other
Measures-Precaution in Interpretation.

Suggested Readings: qument

in Ba vowhe
> Bryman Alan: Social Research Methods, Oxford University Press. a qaingt
> C.K. Kothari: Research Methodology: Method and Techniques, Wiley Easterm
Ltd., New Delhi.

UNIT IV: Doctrinal Research

Primary and Secondary Sources: UsingatatibraryHe-te Use

. Precedents-Use of Journals,Periodicals and Other Legal Materials
Logic and Rationale as Tools of Legal Research: Statutes as Instrument of
Research-Judicial Approach in Legal Issues Mexi st Method
Use and Methods of Citation
post- mode niSm P
post - oloniof methey
Fe minist mothod
 Suggested Readings:
Methodology, Indian
º S. K. Verma and M. Afzal Wani(eds.): Legal Research and
Law Institute, NewDelhi.
Publishing Co., St.Paul,
º Moris L. Cohen: Legal Research, Minnesota, West
Minnesota, USA.

UNIT-V: Non- Doctrinal Research/Empirical Research

and
Empirical Methods as Tools of Research: Empirical Research-Use of Sociological
Behavioural Science Methods case

Universe and Selection of the Sample-Case Study-Observation Methods

Questionnaires
)Structured and Unstructured Interviews and Open Ended and Closed
Suggested Readings

Llaudet. Elena and Imai. Kosuki (eds.) Data Anlysis for social science: Afriendly
and PracticalIntroduction, Princeton University Press.
University Press.
> Bryman Alan: Social Research Methods, Oxford