IALS Introduction to Research Methods for Law MPhil/PhD Students

DRAFT PROGRAMME (subject to change)

Week 1

Monday 9th January  
Morning session:Introduction to Ph.D. research and theories of research – Prof. Lisa Webley 

Afternoon session:Reviewing the literature, note-taking for analytical writing – Prof. Lisa Webley 

Tuesday 10th January  
Morning session:Defining the question and research design (design, reliability, validity and integrity) – Prof. Lisa Webley 

Afternoon session:Comparative and case study research– Prof. Lisa Webley

Wednesday 11th January  
Morning session:Policy analysis – Dr. Constantin Stefanou

Afternoon session:Qualitative Methods (1) Involving clients, consumers and vulnerable participants in your research using interviews, group interviews and other qualitative methods– Prof. Naomi Creutzfeldt

Thursday 12th January   
Morning session:Qualitative Methods (2) Participant observation and third party observation – Dr. Sylvie Bacquet

Afternoon session: Qualitative methods (3) Analysis of qualitative data– Dr. Sylvie Bacquet 

Friday 13th January 
Morning session:Qualitative Methods (5) Elite interviewing – Prof. Avrom Sherr 

Afternoon session:Qualitative methods (4) Harnessing digital media in qualitative work – Prof. Lisa Webley

Optional class following this on the English Legal System and the Common Law System – Prof. Lisa Webley

Week 2

Monday 16th January  
Morning session: Electronic legal research: Getting the Most out of Subscription Databases –Laura Griffiths

Afternoon session:Foreign and international legal research –Hester Swift

Tuesday 17th January     
Morning session:Quantitative methods (1): Overview of quantitative methods with a focus on surveys– Dr. Matthew Jay

Afternoon session:Quantitative methods (2): Introduction to basic data analysis and further concepts– Dr. Matthew Jay 

Wednesday 18th January    
Morning session:Legal writing: finding your voice as an academic writer- Prof. Carl Stychin 

Afternoon session:Research plan review, next steps and moving forward with your PhD – Prof. Lisa Webley

Optional meetings for further assistance with method will be available via Zoom on the afternoon of the 19th and in the morning of the 20th January.

Morning classes begin at 10am UK time, afternoon classes begin at 2pm UK time. Classes will normally last for 90-120 minutes with breaks as necessary. 

All classes will be via Zoom and will be recorded.

A handbook and electronic materials will be available via the VLE on the first day along with power-point presentations. Please note the VLE materials are only available during up until the 31st January 2023 and so any materials you wish to access at a later date should be downloaded during the programme.

Download Draft Programme (pdf)