RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

AN INTRODUCTION

Haleema Sadia
INTRODUCTION
The study of conducting research is
Research Methodology.
Research: The word research is
composed of two words “Re” and
“Search”.
Meaning of “Re” is ‘Again or over
again or a new’ and
“Search” is the latter meaning ‘to2
Meaning of Research
 Search for knowledge
 Scientific & systematic search for
pertinent information on a specific
topic
 Art of scientific investigation
 Careful investigation or inquiry
specially through search for new facts
in any branch of knowledge
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Meaning of Research
Research can also be defined as
1. Search for knowledge
2. Systematic and scientific search for
getting relevant answers on any specific
topic.
3. Scientific inquiry into a subject.
4. Research is a movement from the
unknown to the known.
5. It is the journey of discovery 4
Research?
Acc to Bulmer: Research is primarily
conducted to establishing systematic,
reliable
and valid knowledge about the social world.
Acc. To Clifford Woody: Research comprises
of
• Defining and redefining problems.
• Formulating hypothesis (basic idea)
• Collecting
• Organizing
• Evaluating datas
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Importance of Research Methodology

A student preparing himself for a career of carrying out research as his

profession
 Will be trained better to do research and will help him develop
disciplined thinking
 Will help him observe the field objectively.
 Will enable to understand the logic behind the research problem.
 Will increase the ability to evaluate the results.
 Face the evaluated results with confidence.
 Useful in various fields such as Govt. Business, administration,
community development & social work 6
Cont…

An original contribution
to the existing stock of
knowledge making for
its advancements.
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TYPES OF RESERACH
• Descriptive Research (Ex-Post Facto Research)
• Analytical Research (Critical evaluation)
• Applied Research (Finding a solution for immediate problem)
• Fundamental Research (Generalizations & Formulation of
theory)
• Quantitative Research (Quantitative measurements)
• Qualitative Research (discovery of underlying motive &
desires)
• Conceptual Research (abstract ideas)
• Empirical Research (Data based/experience/observations
only)
• Legal Research
• Non-Legal Research
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LEGAL RESEARCH

• Legal research is an integral

puzzle.
• The practical minded do not
bother to define legal research.
The best way to learn is to engage
in research.
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PURPOSES OF RESEARCH

• To discover answers to questions

through the application of
scientific procedures.
• To find the hidden truth
• To explore new insights

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PURPOSES OF LGAL RESEARCH
• To ascertain the nature, purpose or policy
objectives of legal rules on any topic, and to
ascertain their relevance, utility, adequacy,
efficacy etc.
• To examine legal rules, such as those
contained in precedents, or other authorities
having power to decide issues or disputes with
the aim to determine what the scope of
application of a new rule is, or to evaluate the
approach taken by the law makers in a legal
issue in any field. 11
Cont…
• To examine legal concepts, ideas, theories, doctrines, etc with
a view to determining their relevance, correctness, validity,
utility or the truth they contain, for example, a study on
theories of punishment, to see if certain punishments deter
certain crimes, etc.
• To indentify weakness in an existing legal regime, or to
highlight issues that ought to be covered under a certain
regime, but are not covered, or only partially cover that
area. To see where the law on an area lacks
comprehensiveness and to what extent a new law, or
modifications are required to remedy the situation.

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Cont…
• To examine to nature and composition of a legal
institution, to study the reasons behind its
establishment, and to check the efficacy of its working,
debate its success and failure, and to see what changes
need to be made to help it better achieve its aim, for
example a study of the UN, the Law Commission of
Pakistan etc.
• To compare legal norms over the same subject, but
from different legal systems, and jurisdictions, to see
similarities or differences, and comparing them to see
which one is more effective and what new ideas could
be proposed for improvement.

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Cont…
• To identify the advantages or disadvantages of certain
legal processes or institutions, with a view to suggesting
ways for improvement, such as studying whether
adjudication or arbitration are more effective in dispute
resolution, or whether the courts or the parliament are a
more effective organ of legal development.
• To study the causes that lead to the adoption of certain
laws, creation of legal institutions etc. For example, the
reason behind the enactment of the laws on sexual
harassment etc. Or vice versa studying the effects of the
law and how it affects the behavior of certain people.
Such as studying if the anti smoking law has reduces the
instance of smoking in public and why.

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Cont…
• To explain, interpret or evaluate ideas contained
in an authoritative work on theory of law, in order
to provide further knowledge, explain the aim of
the work, its relevance, correctness, usefulness
and validity. Such as an evaluation of a scholarly
work on fiqh etc.
• To study the nature and operation of certain legal
principles in actual day to day life situations such
as seeing whether principles of penology have any
bearing on sentencing in courts etc.

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Cont…
• To study some social or economic phenomenon and to
find out why some facts exist or occur and why certain
ideas, opinions, values or behaviors take place and to
relate them with some aspect of the law. For example,
to find out why the incidence of law breaking in a
certain field is more prevalent amongst a certain class
or area of people, or for example, what economic
factors influenced the making of a certain law, etc.
• To study a social or economic phenomenon and to see
how the law can best deal with it, or what changes need
to be made to the laws to deal with it. To see how law
can operate as an effective instrument of change,
regulation, reform and control.
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IN NUT SHELL

The purpose of legal research

is to find “Authority” that will
aid in finding a solution to a
“Legal Problem”.

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