Question 1
Doctrinal research lies at the heart of any lawyer’s task because it is the research process used to
identify, analyse and synthesise the content of the law.
Explain the key features of the doctrinal approach and critically evaluate its strengths and weaknesses as an approach to exploring legal meaning.
(85 marks)
Question 2
Describe how you used online resources to identify and access relevant information for Question 1. Do you think your approach to this research worked well or not? Explain your reasoning.
(15 marks)
Hutchinson, T. (2018) ‘Doctrinal research: researching the jury’, in Watkins, D. and Burton, M. (eds) Research methods in law.
2nd edn. London: Routledge (pp. 8–39 (at p.
Learning outcomes for the EMA
By successfully completing the EMA you will demonstrate you can:
Identify and explain the key characteristics of different approaches/perspectives
Discuss the current status of academic legal scholarship and its use of the different approaches/perspectives
Critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of taking a variety of approaches/perspectives
DDevelop an argument relating to legal meaning
Use and reference appropriate academic sources.
