Legal Research Methodology
BASIC DATA
course listing
A - main register
course code
HOX7002
course title in Estonian
Õigusteaduse metodoloogia
course title in English
Legal Research Methodology
course volume CP
4.00
ECTS credits
6.00
to be declared
yes
assessment form
Examination
teaching semester
autumn 1
language of instruction
Estonian
English
The course is a prerequisite
Thesis Seminar 1 (HOX7020)
Study programmes that contain the course
code of the study programme version
course compulsory
HAJM08/25
yes
Structural units teaching the course
MO - Department of Law
Course description link
Timetable link
View the timetable
Version:
VERSION SPECIFIC DATA
course aims in Estonian
Anda ülevaade õigusalase töö kirjutamise vormidest ja meetoditest. Arutleda ja analüüsida õigusteadusliku töö erinevust teistest sotsiaalteaduslikest töödest. Olla valmis magistritöö kirjutamiseks kasutades aines omandatud tehnikaid.
course aims in English
Provide an understanding of the forms and methods of research. To discuss and analyse the specifics of legal research and differences from other type of research in the social sciences. Be prepared to write master thesis on the bases of learned techniques.
learning outcomes in the course in Est.
Kursuse läbides on üliõpilane:
On tudeng võimeline kirjutama juhendaja kaasabil magistritööd, kasutades oskuslikult uurimismetoodikaid. On võimeline aru saama akadeemilisest eetikast ja on teadlik erinevatest intellektuaalomandi kasutamise traditsioonidest ja teaduslikust uurimistööst.
learning outcomes in the course in Eng.
By the end of the course the student:
Student is able to write his/her master thesis with the help of the supervisor by using the relevant research methods. Able to understand the academic ethics and know the different traditions and context of intellectual and scientific legal research.

brief description of the course in Estonian
Õppeaines käsitletakse järgevaid teemasid: teadusuuringute liigid, eesmärgid, motivatsioon ja meetodid, info ja uurimismaterjali kogumine, hüpotees ja uurimisküsimused õigusliku uurimistöö eesmärgid ja mõte, uurimistöö ülesehitus, disain, hüpotees ja uurimisküsimus, uurimisraport, viitamistehnikad ja plagiaat, interdistsiplinaarne uurimistöö.
brief description of the course in English
Types of research, objectives, motivation, methods, scope and relevance of legal research, law systems, purpose of legal research, sources of information, stages of research, interdisciplinary research, research design, hypothesis, research question, referencing and plagiarism, ethics, data collection and analysis.
type of assessment in Estonian
eristav hindamine
type of assessment in English
graded assessment
independent study in Estonian
Õppeaine käigus antakse üliõpilastele jooksvalt iseseisvaid töid nii kodus kui ka klassiruumis lahendamiseks, mille eesmärgiks on aidata kaasa aine omandamisele ning hinnata omandatud oskusi.
independent study in English
During the course students shall be given several individual assignments in the class and also take home exercises. The aim is to increase the knowledge of the topics of the course and to assess the acquired skills.
study literature
- van Boom, W.H., Desmet, P. and Mascini, P., 2018. 1. Empirical legal research: charting the terrain. Empirical Legal Research in Action: Reflections on Methods and their Applications, p.1.
- Onwuegbuzie, A.J. and Hitchcock, J.H., 2015. Advanced mixed analysis approaches. In The Oxford handbook of multimethod and mixed methods research inquiry.
- Lune, H. and Berg, B.L., 2016. Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Pearson Higher Ed.
- McConville, M. ed., 2017. Research methods for law. Edinburgh University Press.
- Morse, J.M., 2016. Mixed method design: Principles and procedures. Routledge.
- Putman, W.H., 2012. Legal research. Cengage Learning.
- Van Hoecke, M., 2015. Methodology of comparative legal research. Law and Method, pp.1-35.
- Wren, C.G. and Wren, J.R., 1986. The legal research manual: A game plan for legal research and analysis. Adams & Ambrose Pub.
study forms and load
daytime study: weekly hours
4.0
session-based study work load (in a semester):
lectures
2.0
lectures
14.0
practices
0.0
practices
0.0
exercises
2.0
exercises
6.0
lecturer in charge
-
LECTURER SYLLABUS INFO
semester of studies
teaching lecturer / unit
language of instruction
Extended syllabus or link to Moodle or to home page
2025/2026 autumn
Maria Claudia Solarte Vasquez, MO - Department of Law
English
    Evaluation criteria HOX7002 Legal Research Methodology.pdf 
    display more
    2024/2025 autumn
    Maria Claudia Solarte Vasquez, MO - Department of Law
    English
      Extended syllabus Legal research methodology HOX7002_2024.pdf 
      2023/2024 autumn
      Maria Claudia Solarte Vasquez, MO - Department of Law
      English
        KODUL.44353_HOX7002_Legal Research Methodology_2023_TH_MC.pdf 
        2022/2023 autumn
        Maria Claudia Solarte Vasquez, MO - Department of Law
        English
          Thomas Hoffmann, MO - Department of Law
          English
            2021/2022 autumn
            Thomas Hoffmann, MO - Department of Law
            English
              2020/2021 autumn
              Kristi Joamets, MO - Department of Law
              English
                2019/2020 autumn
                Maria Claudia Solarte Vasquez, MO - Department of Law
                English
                  2018/2019 autumn
                  Lehte Roots, MO - Department of Law
                  English
                    2017/2018 autumn
                    Lehte Roots, MO - Department of Law
                    English, Estonian
                      2016/2017 autumn
                      Lehte Roots, MO - Department of Law
                      English, Estonian
                        Course description in Estonian
                        Course description in English