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Socio-Legal Research Skills

Module description

This module builds on the generic research training modules provided by the Graduate School in Social Science Research Skills, Philosophy of the Social Sciences, Data Sources and Data Collection in the Social Sciences, Social Science Data Analysis and the subject specific module Approaches to Research in Law (ESRC remit students). It first considers debates surrounding methodological issues in and analytical techniques appropriate to socio-legal research as contrasted with, but complementary to, doctrinal legal research and encourages a critical approach through the use of a range of reflective exercises. It develops knowledge and understanding of how a wide range of data sources and methods of data collection are used in empirical research in law and the ethical issues social research of this nature raises and how these are addressed. The limitations of comparative and cross-cultural research are also considered. The module particularly aims to raise your awareness of the methodological and technical demands of research at an advanced level – addressing skills that subsequently will be exercised through the MRes dissertation. Through the practical teaching sessions, the module aims to provide you with data presentation and dissemination skills by giving individual and group feedback as appropriate.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module builds on the generic research training modules provided in Methodology and Research Skills in Sociology (SOCM008), Philosophy of the Social Sciences (HPSM002A), Qualitative Methods in Social Research (POLM063), Applied Quantitative Data Analysis (POLM809) and the subject specific module Approaches to Research in Law (ESRC remit students) (LAWM686). It first considers debates surrounding methodological issues in and analytical techniques appropriate to socio-legal research as contrasted with but complementary to doctrinal legal research and encourages a critical approach. It develops knowledge and understanding of how a wide range of data sources and methods of data collection are used in empirical research in law and the ethical issues social research of this nature raises and how these are addressed. The limitations of comparative and cross-cultural research are also considered. The module particularly aims to make students aware of the methodological and technical demands of research at an advanced level, addressing skills that subsequently will be exercised through the MRes dissertation (LAWM640). Through the practical teaching sessions, the module aims to provide students with data presentation and dissemination skills by giving individual and group feedback as appropriate. This module is an important foundation for the dissertation and it develops the student's awareness of the rigours of the socio-legal research process at an advanced level.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate awareness and comprehension of the diversity of data and information utilised in socio-legal research.
• 2. Be able to locate and access legal data using a range of research skills and legal databases.
• 3. Be able to recognise and critically evaluate the diversity of specialised techniques and approaches involved in collecting and analysing empirically gathered research data, both quantitative and qualitative, in a socio-legal context.
• 4. Be able to critically evaluate the issues involved in the application of research design to socio-legal research questions.
• 5. Be aware of the range of ethical issues involved in empirical research in law.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Be able to identify and critically evaluate methods of data collection appropriate to socio-legal research.
• 7. Be able to collect and synthesise legal and socio-legal information/data and show an awareness of the ethical implications of data collection and analysis.
• 8. Understand the utility and limitations of collecting and comparing data from different jurisdictions.
• 9. Understand the utility and limitations of collecting and comparing cross-cultural data.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 10. Be able to use IT effectively and appropriately to locate and extract data from a variety of sources.
• 11. Be able to critically reflect on the process of data collection and analysis and evaluate strengths and weaknesses.
• 12. Be able to use a range of well-known data analysis packages.
• 13. Be able to undertake independent/self-directed learning (including time management) to achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment.
• 14. Be able to write up and present research findings in a systematic way.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics (with some possible variation in the order of delivery):

• Methodological issues in legal and socio-legal research: positivist and interpretive approaches.
• Research design: theory, methodology and interdisciplinarity – some case studies.
• Research ethics and empirical research in law: issues, codes and implications.
• Data gathering and data protection: from court records to cyber space and beyond.
• Quantitative methods in socio-legal research: techniques (e.g. structured interviews, questionnaires) validity (including sampling), presentation and case studies.
• Qualitative methods in socio-legal research: ethnographic techniques (e.g. semi-structured interviews, interpretive biographies, focus groups, participant observation, action research) validity, presentation, case studies, new developments.
• Modes of analysis, e.g. thematic analysis, content analysis and responsive recent developments.
• Further methodological issues: cross-cultural and cross-jurisdictional data.
• Practical research design exercise plus presentation and presentation feedback.
• Practical research exercise on qualitative methods, e.g. interviews/ethical issues.
• Two practical research exercises using worksheets on qualitative analysis involving use of N6/NVivo and quantitative analysis involving use of SPSS.
• Student-led presentation. 

Teaching sessions will first introduce the methodological issues (including issues arising from an interdisciplinary approach) in socio-legal research. They will then consider how the collection/generation of data should fit within a broader research agenda and be sensitive to issues such as privacy and research ethics. This will lead to a consideration in depth of a number of key sources and methods of data collection and analysis routinely employed by social scientists including those conducting empirical research in law. These issues and methods will be explored through case studies and exposure of students to a variety of methods and appropriate practical work, incorporating group work and independent practical exercises which will be interspersed with the staff-led teaching sessions. 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Banakar, R. and Travers M. (eds.) An Introduction to Law and Social Theory (Hart Publishing, 2002).
Banakar, R. and Travers M. (eds.) Theory and Method in Socio-Legal Research (Hart, 2005).
Bryman A. Social Research Methods, 3rd ed, 2008
Bryman, A (ed.) (1988) Doing Research in Organisations (Routledge)
Bulmer, M. (ed.) (1982) Social Research Ethics (Macmillan)
Creswell, J Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Method Approaches (Sage: 2002)
De Vaus, D. Surveys in Social Research, 3rd Edn,1996.
Ewick and Sibley, The Common Place of Law: Stories from Everyday Life (Chicago University Press 1998), Chapter 1 and 2
Glaser, B. and A. Strauss (1967) The Discovery of Grounded Theory (Weidenfeld and Nicolson)
Harrington, Christine and Barbara Yngvesson (1990) "Interpretive Sociolegal Research", 15 Law and Social Inquiry 135
Jay R and Hamilton, A. Data Protection Law and Practice, Sweet and Maxwell, 1999
Maclean, M. and H. Genn (1979) Methodological Issues in Social Surveys (Macmillan)
Pallant, J. SPSS Survival Manual: A Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis Using SPSS for Windows (Version 15) 3rd ed, 2007.
Ragin, C. TheComparative Method, (Berkley: University of California, 1987
Samuel, G. Epistemology and Method in Law (Aldershot, Ashgate, 2003)
Sarat, A. Off to Meet the Wizard: Beyond Validity and Reliability in the Search for a Post-empiricist Sociology of Law (1990) 15 Law and Social Inquiry 155-170
Shapiro and Stone, "Testing, Comparison, Prediction", Chapter 4 of On Law, Politics and Judicialization, OUP 2002
Silverman, Doing Qualitative research: A practical handbook Sage, 2000.
Strauss, A. & Corbin, J. Grounded theory in practice, 1997.
Thomas, P. (ed) Socio Legal Studies (Aldershot, Dartmouth) 1997
Trubek, D. and Esser, J. "Critical Empiricism in American Legal Studies: Paradox, Program or Pandora's Box?" 14 Law and Social Inquiry 3
Mason, J. Qualitative Researching, 2nd Edn, Sage, 2002.
Punch, M. (1986) The Politics and Ethics of Fieldwork (Qualitative Research Methods Series, Sage University Press)
Socio-Legal Studies Association, Statement of Ethical Practice, 2002
Social Research Association Code of Research Ethics
Van Hoeke (2004) Epistemology and Methodology of Comparative Law (Hart Publishing)
Ward, A. (1995) Copyright Ethics and Oral History (Oral History Society, Department of Sociology, University of Essex)

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

http://www.slsa.ac.uk/

Key words search

Socio-Legal Research Skills