UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF LAW,
EASTER SEMESTER
COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST 2024

Course Title: RESEARCH METHODS

Course Code: BLAW III
Contact Hours: 4 hrs Lecturing; 2hrs Tutorials
Conveners Main Campus
Streams A & B: Ms. Christabella J. Aceng & Mr. Edgar Kabahizi
Stream C: Ms. Maureen Kemigabo & Ms. Martha Uwizeye

Kampala Campus Day & Evening

Streams A & B: Joel Basoga & Mr. Raphael Okiot
Stream C : Ms. Ruth Kulabako & Mrs. Harriet Nabankema

Course description and overview:

This course is designed precisely to introduce students to the various concepts of research
methods as a tool necessary not only for understanding research works but also to prepare and
equip them with the necessary skills and expertise in knowledge production. The course structure
contains both social science and legal research methods, features of the research process within
quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches and also draws a clear distinction
between doctrinal and non-doctrinal legal research. The design of this course focuses on
understanding key research concepts, writing scientific research papers and proposal, carrying
out data collection, data presentation and analysis, referencing skills and report writing. At the
end, students are expected to appreciate research concepts and philosophies and understand how
research findings are useful in informing various world views in the social, economic, political
and legal fields.

Emphasis shall be placed on how to conduct legal research and legal writing. Students will be
given guidance on how to write a legal and policy paper, research proposal and dissertation.
Course objectives

The course is designed to aid student to learn and be acquainted with the following;

1. Understand the basic concepts of research and its methodologies

2. Identify appropriate researchable legal research topics
3. Select and define appropriate research problem and parameters
4. Prepare a meaningful research (project) proposal
5. Organize and conduct research in a more appropriate manner
6. Write a research report, dissertation and thesis.

Learning Outcomes:

Students should be able do the following by the end of the course:

1. Identify and formulate researchable topics for their research work

2. Write a meaningful and comprehensive research proposal and dissertation thereafter

3. Appreciate and correctly apply the ethical concerns in their research work.

4. Identify and use relevant sources of information for research purposes

5. Develop appropriate research methodology for a given research topic of their choice

6. Demonstrate an understanding of doctrinal and non-doctrinal legal research

7. Critically analyse and synthesize published research.

8. Conduct research of a modest magnitude.

9. Write a research report

Delivery Method:

The course shall be conducted through lectures, presentation, class interactions. Varied research
methods and concepts shall be discussed and critically analysed. Students will be shown how to
relate and apply these research concepts to contemporary legal issues and social issues. Students
will be encouraged and required to carry out their own research and to prepare in advance for the
discussions in class.
Weekly Schedule:

Please note that the weekly schedule is not set-in stone, and may change from time to time, with
some topics being covered in weeks different from those indicated below.

Assessments:

This course shall have three forms of assessments as follow:-.

1. Proposal

Students shall do coursework, this will constitute 25% of the total final mark. The form of
administering the coursework will be at the discretion of the lecturer; ranging from proposal
writing, test(s), and take home exercise.

2. Examination

On top of the coursework assessment, students shallalso do final examinationfor this course unit
and this shall constitute 70% of the final marks.

3. Continuing Assessment

Class attendance and participation will be monitored and assessed, this shall constitute 5% of the
final exam mark.

COURSE CONTENT

Unit A. Introduction, nature and scope of research

a) General introduction to research

− Definition/meaning of Research
− Highlight the distinction between social science research and legal research
− Characteristics/Qualities of good research
b) Purpose of research
− Exploratory
− Explanatory
− Descriptive

c) Characteristics of formal research

− Research process
 d) Research idea and topic identification

− Define Research problem

− Motivation for Research/Sources of research Problems
− Selecting/Identification of the problem
− Formulating the problem Statement
− Identify Sources of Information

e) Conceptualization
− Dimensions of Research (Purpose dimension, Use Dimension, Theoretical use of
Dimensions, Time Dimension, Setting Dimension)
− Triangulation in Research (Measures, Observer, theories, methods)
− Classification of research (design, function, purpose and Methodology/process)

f) Common key terms in research

− Variables
− Theoretical and conceptual Framework
− Research objectives
− Research questions
− Hypotheses
− Validity and reliability
− Methodology vs. Method
− Field activities and ethical issues in Research

Unit B. Types of research and the different approaches

i. Types of research (emphasis on empirical and doctrinal legal research)

− Legaldoctrinal research-RESEARCH ‘in law’ and ‘about law’ PERSPECTIVES

− Non doctrinal research

ii. Research approaches

a) Qualitative research approach

− Phenomenology
− Grounded Theory
− Ethnography
 − Case Study
b) Quantitative research approach
− Survey Research.
− Correlational Research
c) Mixed method approaches

Unit C. Research Paradigms

a) Research Paradigm defined

b) Philosophical underpinnings (components) of research paradigm
− Epistemology
− Ontology
− Methodology
c) Selected Common Paradigms
− Normative, Interpretive, Critical, Positivist, Gender, Conflict

Unit D. Literature review

a) Introduction
b) Purpose of literature laws review
c) Structure and component of literature review
d) Organizing and writing the review
e) Strategy for reviewing literature

Unit E. Research design

a) Introduction
b) Explanatory research design
c) Exploratory research design
d) Case study research design
e) Cross sectional research design
f) Longitudinal research design

Unit F. Population and sampling techniques

a) Probability sampling
 − Simple random sampling
− Systematic sampling
− Stratified sampling
− Cluster sampling
− Multi stage sampling
b) Non probability sampling
− Convenience sampling
− Accidental sampling
− Purposive/ judgmental sampling
− Snowball sampling
− Quota sampling

Unit G. Instrument for data collection

a) Sources and types of data

b) Questionnaire
c) Interviews
d) Focused group discussion
e) Observation
f) Documentary analysis

Unit H. Data processing, presentation and analysis

• Introduction
• Editing and coding
• Purpose of data analysis
• Mode of data presentation and analysis
• Qualitative data analysis
• Quantitative data analysis

Unit I. Research proposal writing and dissertation (emphasis should be put in differentiating
doctrinal and nondoctrinal legal and non-legal research) Lay out of chapters provided is
according to UCU law dissertation guide)
i) Layout of Chapters

o Chapter one: Introductory chapter

o Chapter two: Concept[s]/theories explained
o Chapter three: Legal Framework
o Chapter four: Presentation of findings
o Chapter five: Conclusion and recommendation

ii) Referencing and citation

o The style for referencing

o Direct quotations
o Multiple authors
o Citing in Bibliography
o Book reference
o Journal Articles
o Conferences
o World wide web documents

Unit J: Ethics in research

a) Meaning and purpose of ethics

b) Ethical issues in carrying out research
c) Fundamental ethical principles in research
d) Importance of ethical issues in carrying out research
e) Implication of non-observance of ethics in research

References

1. Adrian Holliday: Qualitative Research, (SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks, New

Delhi, 2002).

2. Denis AsiimweKatebire: Social Research Methodology: An Introduction, (Makerere

University Printers, Kampala, 2007).

3. Earl Babbie: The Basics of Social Research, (Thomson, Wadsworth, 2008).

 4. Emily Finch & Stefan Fafinski: Legal Skills, 2ndedn, (Oxford University Press,
2009).

5. John W. Creswell: Research Design, Qualitative, Quantitative & Mixed Methods

Approaches, 2ndedn (SAGE Publications, London, 2003).

6. Margaret Peil: Social Science Research Methods, A Handbook for Africa, 2ndedn
(East African Educational Publishers Ltd, 1995).

7. Martin E. Amin: Social Science Research, Conception, Methodology & Analysis,

(Makerere University Printery, Kampala, 2005).

8. Ojienda T. &Juma. K: Mastering Legal Research (Law Africa, 2012)

9. OSCOLA referencing 4th edition available at

http://www.law.ox.ac.uk/published/OSCOLA_4th_edn.pdf

10. Ram Ahuja: Research Methods (Rawat Books, New Delhi 2011).Ranjit Kumar:
Research Methodology: a step-by-step guide for beginners, 3rd edition (Sage, London,
2011)

These are not conclusive as students are encouraged to make use of online and physical library to
enhance their understanding of the course.