Legal Research and Writing

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• communicate effectively your views in writing.
• develop a clear and coherent framework of analysis;
• formulate original ideas (i.e. ideas not simply reliant on those already available in the literature or from teaching staff);
• sustain a clear and persuasive argument, showing understanding, critical awareness, independent thought and appropriate use of the concepts and sources;

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• a demonstrable understanding of the area in question (c/f summary of the marking criteria provided to students in the module handbook);
• the relevant primary and secondary legal sources for your chosen topic/field (including assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different types of legal research);
• the issues raised within your chosen field, the possibilities of/for resolution, and their significance.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• utilise written communication;
• identify, locate and evaluate primary and secondary source material;
• demonstrate capacity for independent learning.
• critically analyse, problem analysis and problem solving;
• develop, explore, refine and justify your personal views on a research problem;
• plan and carry out thorough research in your chosen area of law;
• self-manage (e.g. time management);

The module comprises a combination of a taught element (delivered through lectures), students' individual research and one-to-one supervision meetings with an academic member of staff.

Teaching will be by way of a series of lectures and supervision by a member of academic staff.

An introductory lecture is given during the second year, to outline the module and provide guidance on selecting an appropriate research question.

A series of lectures is given during the third/fourth year on: developing a research proposal; research techniques; writing techniques and referencing.

You will be allocated a supervisor and have a 'budget' of 1.5 hours supervision for guidance on research and writing process(es).

Handouts and PowerPoint presentations will be placed on Blackboard, for all stages of the dissertation research and writing process.

The Law Librarian also offers 'drop-in' sessions for Legal Research and Writing, where you can have assistance with specific research queries.

Lectures will:

• develop the structure of the module, and provide you with guidance on choosing a topic at the outset;
• introduce you to the research available research resources
• explain the marking criteria and provide guidance on meeting the higher class marks

provide guidance on structuring and writing your dissertation

Preparation for your supervision meetings, researching and writing up will develop:

• your ability to identify the relevant primary and secondary legal sources pertinent to your chosen topic, and to manage a diverse range of source material;
• your ability to illustrate your knowledge of this topic, be it in relation to cases/statutes/wider legal materials/theoretical analyses, and to understand, assess and reflect on the issues raised therein;
• your ability to discuss these issues with your supervisor;
• through discussion with a supervisor, and in the process of writing up a 10,000 word dissertation, your ability to formulate clear, reasoned, structured and persuasive arguments; showing understanding, critical awareness, independent thought and appropriate use of the relevant concepts and sources;
• your time management and capacity for independent learning.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Diligence and Initiative

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: You will receive feedback from your supervisor which will comprise oral and/or written comments on your draft, as well as oral and/or written comments on your research skills.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.