Postgraduate Module Descriptor

LAWM687: Socio-Legal Research Skills

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

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 through the use of the 'reflective log' following each staff-led seminar. It then 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 their M.Res dissertation (LAWM640). Through the practical workshops, 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)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate awareness and comprehension of the diversity of data and information utilized 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 recognize 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 in writing and orally the issues involved in application of research design to socio-legal research questions 5. Be aware of the range of ethical issues involved in empirical research in law
Discipline-Specific Skills	6. Be able to identify and critically evaluate methods of data collection appropriate to socio-legal research; 7. Be able to collect and synthesize legal and socio-legal information/ data in writing and orally 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
Personal and Key Skills	10. Be able to use Information Technology 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.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Seminar 1 Methodological issues in legal and socio-legal research: positivist and interpretive approaches
Seminar 2 Research Design: theory, methodology and interdisciplinarity - some case studies
Seminar 3 Research Ethics and Empirical Research in Law: Issues, Codes and Implications
Seminar 4 Data gathering and data protection: from court records to cyber space and beyond
Seminar 5 Quantitative methods in socio-legal research: techniques (e.g. structured interviews, questionnaires) validity (including sampling), presentation and case studies
Seminar 6 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
Workshop 1 Practical research design exercise plus group presentation and presentation feedback
Workshop 2 Practical research exercise on qualitative methods, e.g. questionnaires/interviews/ethical issues
Seminar 7 Modes of Analysis, e.g. thematic analysis, content analysis and responsive recent developments
Workshop 3 Two Practical research exercises on qualitative analysis involving use of N6/NVivo and quantitative analysis involving use of SPSS.
Seminar 8 Further methodological issues: cross-cultural and cross-jurisdictional data
Workshop 4 Student-led oral presentation.

Seminars (with web-based support where appropriate) 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 seminars

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
30	270	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	20 hours	8 (2.5 hour) staff-led seminars
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	10 hours	4 (2.5 hour) practical workshops
Guided independent study	270	Private study

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

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