Researching and Writing in Law
By: Terry C. M. Hutchinson
The revolution in legal research provides exciting challenges for those exploring and writing about the legal landscape. Cumbersome paper sources have largely been replaced by electronic files and a new range of skills and sources are required to successfully conduct legal research. Researching and Writing in Law, 3rd Edition is an updated research guide, mapping the developments that have taken place and providing the keys to the fundamental electronic sources of legal research, especially those now available on the web, as well as exploring traditional doctrinal methodologies. Included in this edition are extensive checklists for locating and validating the law in Australia, England, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, India and the European Union. This third edition includes expanded discussion of the process of formulating a research proposal, writing project abstracts and undertaking a literature review (Chapter 7). Research methodologies are also extensively examined, focusing on the process of doctrinal methodology as well as discussing other useful methodologies, such as Comparative Research and Content Analysis (Chapter 5). Further highlighted are issues surrounding research ethics, including plagiarism and originality, the importance of developing skills in critique, and the influence of current university research environments on postgraduate legal research. Law students and members of the practising profession aiming to update their research, knowledge and skills will find Researching and Writing in Law, 3rd Edition invaluable.
AI Overview
"Researching and Writing in Law" by Terry C. M. Hutchinson is a comprehensive guide aimed at postgraduate students and legal researchers. Here is a detailed overview of the book:
Key Themes
- Legal Research Methods: The book covers a wide range of legal research methods, including qualitative and quantitative research techniques. It encourages neophyte legal researchers to explore various methods beyond the usual interview and survey.
- Electronic Research Techniques: It provides an overview of basic electronic research techniques, which is essential for navigating the digital landscape of legal research.
- Citation Analysis: The book discusses citation analysis, helping researchers understand the value and impact of articles, authors, and institutions. This is crucial for selecting scholarly references for literature reviews.
- Legal Writing: It includes a chapter on legal writing, which is essential for effectively communicating legal research findings.
- Country-Specific Legal Research: The book covers how to understand laws in specific countries, including a chapter on China added in the fourth edition.
Plot Summary
The book is divided into two main parts:
Part I: Formulating and Writing Your Legal Research Project
- This part includes chapters on setting the scene for research and writing in context, research ethics, project management, standard doctrinal research methodologies, additional legal research frameworks, basic electronic research techniques, social science methodologies for lawyers, formulating a research topic, refining the topic and writing the research proposal, and reviewing the literature.
Part II: Checklists for Locating and Validating the Law
- This part provides checklists for locating and validating the law, including general guidelines and country-specific checklists for Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and other jurisdictions.
Critical Reception
- Reliability and Practicality: The book is highly regarded for its reliability and practicality. It is considered one of the most reliable sources of reference for students embarking on legal research, covering both basic and advanced topics.
- Value for Librarians: The book is also valuable for librarians providing information literacy instructions and research support, as it offers a comprehensive guide to legal research techniques and resources.
- Edition Updates: The fourth edition includes an updated legal research guide that maps the developments in the field and provides keys to the latest resources and methodologies.
Overall, "Researching and Writing in Law" by Terry C. M. Hutchinson is a seminal work in the field of legal research, offering a comprehensive and practical guide for both students and professionals. Its critical reception highlights its reliability and practicality, making it a valuable resource for anyone involved in legal research.