Students
LAWS8018 – Research Methodologies in Law
2022 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Kirsten Davies
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to LLM or MIntTrdeComLaw or MIntLawGovPP) or (Admission to JD or GradCertLaw and corequisite Laws600 or LAWS8001)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces students to an array of concepts and research methodologies that underpin various theoretical approaches to legal scholarship, including doctrinal, comparative, interdisciplinary, empirical, and critical legal studies (CLS) approaches, as well as particular issues in human rights and international law research. The unit emphasises theoretical concerns and requirements that pertain to research objectives, research design, research methods, argumentation, writing, and critique including self-critique. The unit also explores the roles, rights and obligations of students in their own scholarship. The unit equips students to better understand the nexus among legal education, legal scholarship and legal practice; enhances their capacity to design research projects with rigorous research methodologies, to proffer good written analyses with sound argumentation, and to reflect on legal scholarship and on the law critically; and helps prepare them for a higher degree by research or for careers in legal practice, government, international organisations, and think tanks, and consultancies.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Identify and locate primary and secondary legal resources from a variety of library and online collections using appropriate research strategies.
- ULO2: Apply principles of good written presentation and language to the processes of drafting, editing and re-drafting and referencing (in accordance with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation) legal writing.
- ULO3: Critically apply principles and values that underpin ethical research and academic honesty and apply them in own research.
- ULO4: Organise referencing materials using an appropriate range of manual and software solutions.
- ULO5: Prepare a sophisticated research strategy and work-plan, and apply that to own research project.
- ULO6: Differentiate the different kinds of legal research questions (theoretical, doctrinal, normative, empirical, comparative etc) and the appropriate methodologies for answering them.
General Assessment Information
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referencing and research techniques | 30% | No | Weeks 7 and 8 |
| Legal Research Plan | 60% | No | Weeks 9 and 13 |
| Active Participation | 10% | No | All Session |
Referencing and research techniques
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weeks 7 and 8
Weighting: 30%
Students will complete a timed test on referencing skills and submit a paper on research techniques
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and locate primary and secondary legal resources from a variety of library and online collections using appropriate research strategies.
- Organise referencing materials using an appropriate range of manual and software solutions.
- Differentiate the different kinds of legal research questions (theoretical, doctrinal, normative, empirical, comparative etc) and the appropriate methodologies for answering them.
Legal Research Plan
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Weeks 9 and 13
Weighting: 60%
Students are required to submit a comprehensive legal research plan including literature review, research questions, research methodology and strategy
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply principles of good written presentation and language to the processes of drafting, editing and re-drafting and referencing (in accordance with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation) legal writing.
- Critically apply principles and values that underpin ethical research and academic honesty and apply them in own research.
- Prepare a sophisticated research strategy and work-plan, and apply that to own research project.
- Differentiate the different kinds of legal research questions (theoretical, doctrinal, normative, empirical, comparative etc) and the appropriate methodologies for answering them.
Active Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: All Session
Weighting: 10%
Students are to participate in discussion and debate in class and/or online.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and locate primary and secondary legal resources from a variety of library and online collections using appropriate research strategies.
- Differentiate the different kinds of legal research questions (theoretical, doctrinal, normative, empirical, comparative etc) and the appropriate methodologies for answering them.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Delivery - On-campus or online
Resources - Provided on Ilearn site
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook