Research

Research is the careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern or problem using
scientific methods. According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie, “research is a
systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon. It involves
inductive and deductive methods.”

Inductive methods analyse an observed event, while deductive methods verify the observed event.
Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative research, and deductive methods are more
commonly associated with quantitative analysis.

Purpose of Research

 To contribute to existing knowledge in a discipline (for example, law).

 To inform policy making (for example, crime, housing, education).
 To address a specific issue or question (for example, substance abuse in campus).

Legal Research

It is not an easy task to find the law in a vast mass of statutes which are constantly amended and
supplemented by rules regulations, orders, directives, ordinances, judgment of courts, and bye-laws.
Also, for making advancement in the science of law requires a systematic probe into the underlying
principles of and reasons for law. Thus, legal research has a broad ambit to it. It has to be
continuously done by legislators, a judge, a lawyer, a law student and a law teacher.

Purpose of Legal Research

 Find out the law

 Find out ambiguity in law
 Find out stability and consistency
 Social auditing of law
 Suggesting reforms

Kinds of legal research

1.