This module looks at a range of legal research methods which offer different approaches to, and perspectives on, legal meaning – the place and meaning of law in the modern world. The methods covered are doctrinal, historical, comparative, socio-legal, critical and feminist and trans-national. For each one, a case study is used to enable the strengths and weaknesses of that particular approach or perspective to be evaluated. The examples range from areas such as the debate surrounding criminal responsibility of children, to the role of the media in the family courts and measures to tackle international corruption.
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05 Nov 2022 |
Apr 2023 |
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Registration closes 13/10/22 (places subject to availability) Click to register
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This module is expected to start for the last time in November 2025.
What you will study
Through study on this 30-credit module you will develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of legal research methods including doctrinal, historical, comparative, socio-legal, critical and feminist and trans-national. You will consider the strengths and weaknesses of each legal research method through case studies on issues such as decision-making for adults who lack mental capacity, the historical development of the law on abortion, the debate surrounding criminal responsibility of children, the role of the media in the family courts, the use of reproductive technologies and measures to tackle international corruption.
During your studies you will develop and consolidate a range of important postgraduate legal skills. You will use online sources to identify, access, assess and evaluate relevant information, learn to synthesise and apply legal principles in a logical and competent manner and identify, interpret and understand key legal rules, concepts and principles applicable across a wide range of legal areas. Together these will enable you to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each legal research method explored and develop the depth and richness of thinking and understanding expected of postgraduate students in this area.
The module is delivered and accessed wholly online through a dedicated website. It will be possible to download the study materials and read them offline but many of the activities will require you to work online. You will be required to undertake online research. Access to the OU Library and online legal databases are provided as an integral part of this module. You will also have access to the Master of Laws (LLM) website.
Tuition will be conducted through online forums and via online tutorials. Here students and tutors will contribute to the discussion, debate, exploration and evaluation of relevant legal research methods.
You can take this module on its own or as a module of our Master of Laws qualification.
Entry
To register for this module you must have an honours degree from a UK university or equivalent. Various higher education and professional qualifications are considered equivalent to an honours degree. If you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK honours degree or if you lack formal academic qualifications but have relevant work experience, please speak to an adviser.
The module is taught in English, and your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you seek assessment under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Qualifications
W820 is a compulsory module in our:
W820 is an optional module in our:
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.
If you have a disability
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and diagrammatic or foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
Part of this module is delivered through a website and includes online activities. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to talk to us about support which can be given to meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Study materials
What's included
Comprehensive guidance and support is available via a module website which includes:
- a week-by-week online study planner
- course-specific module materials
- audio and video content
- online tutorial access to tutor group forums
- access to OU library services (including legal databases).
You will also have access to the Master of Laws website.
Computing requirements
You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11), or macOS (10.15 or higher).
Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.
It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop as described above.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who you can contact by email or telephone and through the online forums, who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.
You are expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
You must submit the end-of-module assessment (EMA) electronically.
The eTMAs are scheduled at regular intervals. Extensive guidance is given on all assignments submitted. There are three eTMAs ranging from 1500 words to 2500 words and the EMA of 3500 words.
Students also studied
Students who studied this module also studied at some time:
Future availability
Exploring legal meaning starts once a year – in November. This page describes the module that will start in November 2022. We expect it to start for the last time in November 2025.
How to register
To register a place on this module return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our
Student Policies and Regulations website.