Empirical Legal Research: A Primer

This exciting textbook introduces the basic tenets and methodologies of empirical legal research. Explaining how to initiate and conduct empirical research projects, how to evaluate the methods used and how to analyze and engage with the results, Kees van den Bos provides a vibrant and reliable primer for students and practitioners looking to engage actively in legal research.

Key features include:

A straightforward, non-technical and accessible style to engage new researchers in empirical legal research

A step-by-step guide to empirical research, leading students through establishing and building a research project, to interpreting and reporting on empirical data

An exploration of an array of methodologies to gather empirical data, including interviews, surveys and experiments, providing plenty of avenues for research

Exercises to allow students to put new skills into practice and suggested further reading to deepen students’ understanding of new topics

Offering an enthusiastic introduction to a valuable subject, this is crucial reading for advanced law students hoping to pursue their own empirical legal research projects. Its insights into cutting-edge research methodologies will also be of benefit to students with a keen interest in the sociology of law, as well as socio-legal studies more widely.