Legal Research Methods and Professional Skills (Y/650/4976) Assignment Brief 2026
Legal Research Methods and Professional Skills Assignment Brief
| Qualification | OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Law (610/1971/9) / OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Law (610/1961/6) |
| Unit Reference Number | Y/650/4976 |
| Unit Title | Legal Research Methods and Professional Skills |
| Unit Level | 5 |
| Number of Credits | 20 |
| Total Qualification Time (TQT) | 200 hours |
| Guided Learning Hours (GLH) | 100 hours |
| Mandatory / Optional | Mandatory |
| Sector Subject Area (SSA) | 15.5 Law and legal services |
| Unit Grading Type | Pass / Fail |
Unit Aims
Learners will develop a range of skills relating to legal research and ethical issues, which will both support their learning and constitute valuable transferable research and professional skills in their own right.
Learning Outcomes, Assessment Criteria and Indicative Content
| Learning Outcomes – The learner will: |
Assessment Criteria – The learner can: |
Indicative content |
| 1. Understand how to effectively create research projects and | 1.1 Explain the benefits, both personal and professional, in undertaking a legal research project. 1.2 Explain what Legal Research Skills involves. 1.3 Describe how to effectively use digital resources and e-resources. 1.4 Discuss different types of research methodology. 1.5 Analyse various resources and methodologies to help develop a research project. |
● Reading cases and interpreting statutes ● Reflection on research skills and on feedback from assignments ● Overview of legal research skills for projects, approach, area etc ● Link to library e-journals and e-resources ● Link to library current database for law such as Westlaw ● Locate various cases, files and analysis through the e-database ● Internet – what is a safe resource ● What is valid, how would students check that a resource can be valid ● How are resources cross referenced ● Difference between peer and non-peer reviewed ● Carrying out small research questions to identify research plan ● Reflect on research and process of developing ● Methodologies in research including quantitative and qualitative research |
| 2. Understand how to review literature in support of the research. | 2.1 Explain what a literature review is 2.2 Analyse existing literature reviews 2.3 Explain how a literature review is structured 2.4 Identify gaps or areas in knowledge in carrying out a literature review |
● How a literature review helps develop a research project ● How literature review can summarise current thinking on a particular area ● How to approach a literature review ● How to make sure the references are correct ● How to link to different research in areas to make sure there are no gaps ● Structure of a literature review including: o Introduction o Aims & objectives o Methodology o Gaps in research o Conclusion o Reference list ● Analyse examples of existing literature review and highlight approaches taken, gaps in knowledge ● Analyse conclusions reached in literature review and how concrete these conclusions are |
| 3. Understand ethical and legal issues in relation to research. | 3.1 Consider the ethical issues that relate generally to research 3.2 Explain the ethical constraints that you should apply to your own research project 3.3 Discuss the legal issues relating to research |
● What constitutes an ethical issue? ● Where do the ethical issues arise? ● Do all research projects contain ethics? ● Organisations that carry out research ● Example of research and how ethical issues have been addressed ● Legal issues around research and how the university can help ● GDPR statements ● How to address ethical issues in your research project, making changes to methodology, impact on findings, what to do if you cannot make changes ● Ethic review forms ● Ethics committees |
| 4. Understand how professional skills are developed. | 4.1 Understand different professional skills. 4.2 Explain various professional bodies and their expectation of skills of professionals. 4.3 Critically reflect own skills and identify which skills are needing further development. 4.4 Understand the need for professional development and how to achieve this. |
● Understanding what a professional is ● Explain the various types of professional legal skills and why they are needed ● Discussion of SRA expected professional skills ● Discussion of BPP expected professional skills ● When professionals fall short, legal consequences ● Link to tort law and negligence ● Self-reflection and the need for continuous professional development ● Being critically aware of own skills ● Continuous self-reflection and monitoring ● Where to develop professional skills during your career |
Assessment
To achieve a ‘pass’ for this unit, learners must provide evidence to demonstrate that they have fulfilled all the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria.
| Learning Outcomes to be met | Assessment criteria to be covered | Type of assessment | Word count (approx. length) |
| 1-4 | All ACs under LO1 to LO4 | Portfolio of evidence | 3000 words |
Indicative Reading List
- Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing, 4th Edition by William H. Putman, JD; Jennifer R. Albright, JD, Published by Cengage
- Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing: 6th edition, By Joanne Hames; Yvonne Ekern, Published by Pearson
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