Overview

An indicative list of the topics the module will cover includes;

• using a Law Library,
• essay writing for Masters students,
• legal writing,
• identification and evaluation of sources,
• avoiding plagiarism, referencing correctly, compiling a bibliography,
• planning a dissertation project,
• writing a research proposal,
• identifying a dissertation research question,
• research methodologies,
• doing a literature review.

Assessment Strategy

-good -Good: B- to B+ (60-69%) High Standard: Present coherent and competent work, analyse a range of empirical, theoretical and methodological issues as appropriate to the topic studies, provide sound bibliographic support with correct referencing. -excellent -A- to A* (70%+) Present highly competent work, display a critical awareness of empirical, theoretical and methodological issues as to topic, should put forward coherent arguments, and demonstrate awareness of contemporary debates with relevant literature. Well organised and thorough bibliographic information. -another level-C- to C+ (50-59%) Present work that addresses one or more substantive topic(s) describe some of the main empirical and/or methodological issues arising from the literature or any other database collected during the course of the research, present an adequate piece of written work with basic bibliographic sources and referencing, and/or oral.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop a critical understanding of the basic principles of research design and strategy, including formulating researchable questions, enabling students to make appropriate choices for their own research.

• Identify, and reflect critically upon the problems associated with legal research and develop appropriate analytical skills for their relevant LLM programme.

• Show a comprehensive understanding of the skills necessary to write an appropriate research project proposal, including adopting the appropriate research methodology and writing a literature review.

• Show mastery of the skills necessary to effectively submit a dissertation, a research proposal, and other forms of legal writing appropriate to postgraduate level and comply with any necessary submission requirements.

• Show mastery of the skills required to undertake legal research at the postgraduate level, including the ability to search for sources, critically appraise those sources, and reference those sources accurately.