Legal Research Methods | OTHM Level 7 International Business Law Assignment 2026 OTHM Level 7 Diploma in International Business Law Legal Research Methods Unit Reference Number L/618/7921 Unit Title Legal Research Methods Unit Level 7 Number of Credits 20 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) 200 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) 100 hours Mandatory / Optional Mandatory Sector Subject Area (SSA) 15.5 Law and legal services Unit Grading Structure Pass/Refer Unit Aims The unit aim is to allow learners to develop key knowledge, understanding and skills relating to legal research and theoretical and methodological problems associated with legal studies. Learners will be able to cover key topics relating to research problems, conducting literature reviews, referencing, data collection and analysis techniques, and drawing conclusions from the analysed data.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria Learning Outcomes – the learner will: Assessment Criteria – the learner can:
- Understand how to conduct legal research. 1.1 Identify the criteria required to conduct legal research. Â 1.2 Define key issues in the proposed research. Â 1.3 Assess the diversity of research methods used in socio-legal studies. Â 1.4 Evaluate ethical dimensions of socio-legal approaches. Â 1.5 Analyse features of the blackletter approach to doctrinal legal research.
- Be able to develop legal research approaches. 2.1 Choose a relevant legal research project topic. Â 2.2 Create appropriate research aims and objectives with justification. Â 2.3 Formulate a detailed plan for the research project.
- Be able to critically review literature relevant to a legal topic. 3.1 Critically analyse different theoretical approaches to a legal research problem. Â 3.2 Create a structured and thorough critical literature review.
- Be able to design legal research methodologies. 4.1 Critically evaluate relevant research methodologies that can be applied to your chosen research topic. Â 4.2 Justify the methodology selected in terms of the research. Â 4.3 Propose suitable techniques to use with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
- Be able to plan and prepare a legal research project. 5.1 Plan a legal research project and present this as a written proposal. Â 5.2 Critically evaluate own skills and knowledge, with reference to the intended outcome of the research project. Task 1 of 3 Unit Learning Outcome: LO 1 Understand how to conduct legal research.
Task Assessment Criteria to be covered: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Legal research is the process of identifying and retrieving information necessary to support legal decision-making.
Produce a report which focuses on how to conduct legal research.
You must ensure the report:
identifies the criteria required to conduct legal research. defines key issues in the proposed research. assesses the diversity of research methods used in socio-legal studies. evaluates ethical dimensions of socio-legal approaches. analyses features of the blackletter approach to doctrinal legal research. Delivery and Submission
The submission is in the form of a report written in Word format.
The recommended word limit is 500 words excluding diagrams, references, and appendices.
Learners are expected to adhere to the word count. A 10% leeway either side of this range is permitted before the assessor is instructed to stop reading any further.
Referencing
You should use and cite a range of academic and reliable sources.
A comprehensive Harvard style reference list must be included at the end of the work.
Task 2 of 3 Unit Learning Outcomes:
LO 2 Be able to develop legal research approaches. LO 3 Be able to critically review literature relevant to a legal topic. Task Assessment Criteria to be covered: 2.1, 3.1, 3.2
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Based on a legal research area of your choice, produce a literature review, using a recognised and accepted convention.
You must ensure the review critically analyses different theoretical approaches to a legal research problem.
The literature review should be presented in a logical and constructed format based on the following recommendation.
The purpose / objectives of the literature review A search of the relevant literature Evaluation of sources and any data research methods used Identification of themes, debates and gaps Evaluation of arguments Ethical aspects Conclusions All comments and statements in your literature review need to be factually sound, backed up by research and implementation results from reliable sources, and provide an adequate review of the topic under study.
Delivery and Submission
The submission is in the form of a Literature Review written in Word format.
The recommended word limit is 1000 words excluding diagrams, references, and appendices.
Learners are expected to adhere to the word count. A 10% leeway either side of this range is permitted before the assessor is instructed to stop reading any further.
Referencing
You should use and cite a range of case law, academic and reliable sources.
A comprehensive Harvard style reference list must be included at the end of the work.
Task 3 of 3 Unit Learning Outcomes:
LO 2 Be able to develop legal research approaches. LO 4 Be able to design legal research methodologies. LO 5 Be able to plan and prepare a legal research project. Task Assessment Criteria to be covered: 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Building on the literature review from task 2, produce a legal research proposal.
You must ensure the proposal:
contains appropriate and justified research aims and objectives. contains a detailed plan for the research project. critically evaluates relevant research methodologies that can be applied to your chosen research topic. justifies the methodology selected in terms of the research. proposes suitable techniques to use with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. indicates you understand a range of different methodological approaches to understanding a legal issue. considers the implications of proposed research, including ethical, confidentiality and data security angles. contains an evaluation of one`s own suitability as a researcher. Delivery and Submission
The submission is in the form of a Legal Research Proposal written in Word format.
The recommended word limit is 2500 words excluding diagrams, references, and appendices.
Learners are expected to adhere to the word count. A 10% leeway either side of this range is permitted before the assessor is instructed to stop reading any further.
Referencing
You should use and cite a range of case law, academic and reliable sources.
A comprehensive Harvard style reference list must be included at the end of the work