Research Methods for Law

A handbook and guide to research methods for students of law, sociology and social sciences, from an interdisciplinary perspective This second edition of Research Methods for Law provides students in law, sociology and criminology with perspectives on current methods of research - legalistic, theoretical, empirical, comparative and cross-disciplinary - in an accessible, grounded and engaging style. Enabling students to pursue research from a variety of perspectives, in which they will be increasingly expected to engage during their studies, the book draws on actual research projects presented by a team of contributors with a broad range of teaching and research experience in law, criminal justice and socio-legal studies. The new edition takes account of developments in research methods, with new chapters on important areas such as inter/cross-disciplinary research and research ethics, and has a wide appeal for both graduate and undergraduate courses. Its rich mix of general lessons, theoretical engagement and practical examples from experienced researchers are of real value and clarity to students intimidated by the challenges and complexities of research. Key Features - Inter/cross-disciplinary methods have become more important within the expansion in postgraduate research - Useful both for those with a non-law first degree and for large numbers of international students - Research ethics warrants specific treatment in the light of current issues such as plagiarism and imperfect disclosure - Discusses how legal research as process impacts on research as product Mike McConville was Founding Dean and Simon F. S. Li Professor of Law, School of Law in the Chinese University of Hong Kong. His recent publications include Jury Trials and Plea Bargaining: A True History (with C. L. Mirsky, 2005), Criminal Justice in China: An Empirical Inquiry (with others, 2011) and Criminal Judges (with L. Marsh, 2014). Wing Hong Chui is Professor in the Department of Applied Social Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong. His recent publications include The Hong Kong Legal System (with S. H. C. Lo, 2012), Responding to Youth Crime in Hong Kong: Penal Elitism, Legitimacy and Citizenship (with M. Adorjan, 2014) and Understanding Criminal Justice in Hong Kong (2nd edition, with T. W. Lo, 2016).

Preface and Acknowledgements to Second EditionPreface and Acknowledgements to First Edition