Research Methodology - Law - LLB and other law degrees (Undergraduate) Senior Student Support

Subject-Specific Shelf Codes

Introduction

On this tab, under E-books on Legal Research, Books on Legal Research and Books and E-books on the Research Process, there is a listed selection of book and e-book titles available in hard copy or electronically on legal research, research methodology and the research process. Please take note that these titles are not necessarily based on the South African legal system, but the same research principles apply in other jurisdictions too. To find additional resources, search in the Library Catalogue or do an advanced search in UJoogle.

Also refer to the Recommended Databases and Reputable Internet Links for the Respective Modules and Subject-Specific Shelf Codes sections to find relevant material for your module in the databases that UJ is subscribed to, as well as in the books available in the Law Library.

Under the Reputable Internet Links section, there are links to some South African and international university LibGuides, and articles that deal specifically with the legal research process and search techniques. You will also find lists of reputable Internet links and Open Access sources that can be used for your respective modules.

Reputable Internet Links

South Africa:

Journal articles and guides on Legal Research

Finding free legal information on the Internet
An Introduction to African Legal Resources (Columbia University Law School)
Researching South African Law (NYU Law School)

International:

International university guides on Legal Research:

Google Scholar

Get full text articles in Google Scholar. Also use that link to get the full text via the Library's subscriptions, if available on the UJ databases.

E-books on Legal Research

Internet Legal research on a Budget: Free and Low-Cost Resources for Lawyers by Levitt, Carole
ISBN: 9781627226172
Publication Date: 2014
International and Foreign Legal Research by Marci Hoffman; Mary Rumsey
ISBN: 9789004204805
Publication Date: 2012
Legal Writing by Lisa Webley
ISBN: 9780415812757
Publication Date: 2013

E-books

Books on Legal Research

Remember that for purposes of your final year research paper, you may only utilise the following methodologies:

Doctrinal analysis;
Jurisprudential perspectives;
Socio-legal research and
Comparative legal analysis.

Recommended book:

Getting a PhD in Law by Caroline Morris; Cian Murphy
ISBN: 9781841133065
Publication Date: 2011-09-01
Getting a PhD in Law is a unique guide to obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Law in the UK. While there is a wide range of study guides for PhD students in the social sciences and other science-based disciplines, there is very little information available on the process of obtaining a PhD in law. Research degrees in law share some attributes with those in related disciplines such as the humanities and social sciences. However, legal methodology and the place of the PhD in law in the young lawyer's career create unique challenges that have not been addressed by existing guides. Getting a PhD in Law fills this clear gap in the market, providing an accessible guide to the PhD process from topic selection to thesis publication. This readable and informative guide draws on interviews and case studies with PhD students, supervisors and examiners. Getting a PhD in Law will be essential reading for the growing numbers of PhD students in the UK's many law schools-and those internationally who wish to learn from UK best practice.

Other books on legal research:

Effective legal research by Knowles, John
Call Number: R4 KNOW
ISBN: 9780414051911
Publication Date: 2016
Legal Research Methods by Michael Murray; Christy Descanctis
Call Number: 340.072073 MURR (Level 4)
ISBN: 9781609302429
Publication Date: 2015
Methodologies of Legal Research by Mark Van Hoecke (Editor)
Call Number: R4 HOEC
ISBN: 9781849461702
Publication Date: 2011
Legal research and writing by Tjaden, Ted
Call Number: R4 TJAD
ISBN: 9781552211762
Publication Date: 2010
The Oxford Handbook of Empirical Legal Research by Peter Cane (Editor); Herbert Kritzer (Editor)
Call Number: 340.072 OXFO (Level 4)
ISBN: 9780199542475
Publication Date: 2010
Writing for Law by Dave Powell; Emma Teare
Call Number: R4 POWE
ISBN: 9780230236448
Publication Date: 2010