RRLLB81/103/1/2023
Tutorial Letter 103/1/2023
Research Report
RRLLB81
Semesters 1 & 2
Department of Criminal and Procedural Law
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information about your module.
, Contents
SECTION A PREPARING ASSESSMENTS 2 AND 3 ................................................................................... 4
1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 4
2 LEGAL RESEARCH ........................................................................................................................ 5
3 THE RRLLB81 RESEARCH JOURNEY .......................................................................................... 5
4 THE RESEARCH JOURNEY FROM SELECTING THE TOPIC TO SUBMITTING
ASSESSMENT 2 ........................................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Selecting a topic ............................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Formulating your own research question, title, and research aim/hypothesis in respect of the
topic you chose .............................................................................................................................................. 7
4.3 Researching the topic you have chosen ........................................................................................... 8
4.3.1 Types of sources .............................................................................................................................. 9
4.3.1.1 Primary sources ............................................................................................................................ 9
4.3.1.2 Secondary sources ....................................................................................................................... 9
4.3.2 Accessing reliable sources of legal information .............................................................................. 10
4.3.2.1 A word of caution on the use of the Internet as a source of information ...................................... 10
4.3.2.2 Databases for reliable, authoritative and persuasive sources of law ........................................... 11
4.3.3 Evaluation of sources ..................................................................................................................... 12
4.4 Construct an outline ....................................................................................................................... 13
4.5 Drafting Assessment 2 ................................................................................................................... 15
4.5.1 Adding content to your report outline .............................................................................................. 15
4.5.2 Components/elements of your draft (and final) research report(s) .................................................. 15
4.5.2.1 Front cover ................................................................................................................................. 15
4.5.2.2 Declaration of authenticity ........................................................................................................... 17
4.5.2.3 Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 17
4.5.2.4 Keywords .................................................................................................................................... 18
4.5.2.5 List of abbreviations and acronyms ............................................................................................. 18
4.5.2.6 Table of contents ........................................................................................................................ 19
4.5.2.7 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 19
4.5.2.8 Body / Middle chapters ............................................................................................................... 20
4.5.2.9 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 22
4.5.2.10 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................ 23
4.6 Some observations concerning legal writing ................................................................................... 23
4.6.1 Keep it clear and simple ................................................................................................................. 23
4.6.2 Hallmarks of good academic legal writing ....................................................................................... 23
4.6.2.1 Clear ........................................................................................................................................... 23
2
,4.6.2.2 Concise....................................................................................................................................... 23
4.6.2.3 Formal ........................................................................................................................................ 24
4.6.2.4 Substantiated .............................................................................................................................. 24
4.6.2.5 Rational ...................................................................................................................................... 24
4.7 Flow of ideas .................................................................................................................................. 24
4.7.1 Bridge sentences............................................................................................................................ 25
4.7.1.1 The recapitulating bridge ............................................................................................................ 25
4.7.1.2 The implication or complication bridge ........................................................................................ 26
4.7.1.3 The question ............................................................................................................................... 26
4.7.2 Transition words and phrases......................................................................................................... 27
4.7.3 Practical suggestions on how to ensure proper flow ....................................................................... 28
4.8 Proofreading, editing and submitting your draft............................................................................... 29
5 THE RESEARCH JOURNEY FROM AFTER SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT 2 TO
SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT 3 .................................................................................................................. 29
5.1 Ongoing revision ............................................................................................................................ 29
5.2 What to expect from the assessment of Assessment 2................................................................... 29
5.3 Very important warning concerning Assessment 3 ......................................................................... 30
5.4 Tasks involved in preparing your final research report .................................................................... 30
SECTION B TOPICS FOR ASSESSMENT 2 AND ASSESSMENT 3 .......................................................... 32
3
, Dear Student
As you know from studying Tutorial Letter 101/3/2021, you are required to produce a draft
research report as Assessment 2 in this module. Assessment 3 (portfolio) consists of a final
research report that constitutes the exit-level assessment for RRLLB81.
This tutorial letter consists of two main sections, SECTION A and SECTION B. SECTION A
contains study material relevant to Assessments 2 and 3. It also provides important
information relating to the planning and writing of these assignments. SECTION B contains
the topics for both assignments. There are three topics from each Department in the School
of Law. SECTION B starts on p 32.
SECTION A PREPARING ASSESSMENTS 2 AND 3
1 INTRODUCTION
As human beings, we cannot possibly claim to be in possession of all information. Even
where we are in possession of a lot of facts, we often have to admit that we do not really
understand the significance of the data or appreciate the intricate interconnectedness
thereof. Research is sparked by what we do not know or understand. Often, it begins with a
question. The question might not even be clear, as we might have insufficient knowledge to
formulate a meaningful question. As we gather more information, our comprehension of the
subject at hand grows; we discover what is clearly established or trite, and we start seeing
the murky depths of the unexplored. As our knowledge and understanding grow more
complex, our questions become more clearly defined and sophisticated. By the time you
take this module, you are a senior law student whose questions should reveal a level of
sophistication and clarity of thought appropriate for one who has travelled some distance on
the journey of exploring the mysteries of the law.
Research entails a careful and systematic investigation or study of a subject aimed at
discovering information or establishing facts. When properly carried out, the process of
research should enhance the researcher’s understanding of the subject and allow him or her
to draw valid conclusions from the factual findings or information discovered.
The acquisition of knowledge proceeds from basic to specialised. Once in possession of
sufficient information to be able to formulate a question worthy of serious investigation, we
can start to collect data or information germane to that particular problem. At undergraduate
level, we might not be in possession of sufficient knowledge or have the required maturity of
thought to make ground-breaking discoveries, but that does not mean that we are not
capable of doing research. To fill the gaps in our own knowledge and understanding, we
might need to research a question to which others, who have dedicated a great deal of their
lives to the study of a particular field, might already have produced adequate answers.
Answers which we cannot (yet) improve upon. Research at this level is not primarily aimed
at making a truly original contribution that moves the boundaries of knowledge in a significant
way, but it surely is intended to increase and enrich the researcher’s own knowledge and
understanding of the subject matter.
Of course, there is no single, final answer to most questions that are worth exploring. As
unique individuals we are capable of contributing to the creation of knowledge by organising,
processing and analysing information in a fresh way, and by expressing our findings in a
distinctive voice. Researchers seldom set out to reinvent the wheel. We can and do learn
4
Tutorial Letter 103/1/2023
Research Report
RRLLB81
Semesters 1 & 2
Department of Criminal and Procedural Law
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information about your module.
, Contents
SECTION A PREPARING ASSESSMENTS 2 AND 3 ................................................................................... 4
1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 4
2 LEGAL RESEARCH ........................................................................................................................ 5
3 THE RRLLB81 RESEARCH JOURNEY .......................................................................................... 5
4 THE RESEARCH JOURNEY FROM SELECTING THE TOPIC TO SUBMITTING
ASSESSMENT 2 ........................................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Selecting a topic ............................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Formulating your own research question, title, and research aim/hypothesis in respect of the
topic you chose .............................................................................................................................................. 7
4.3 Researching the topic you have chosen ........................................................................................... 8
4.3.1 Types of sources .............................................................................................................................. 9
4.3.1.1 Primary sources ............................................................................................................................ 9
4.3.1.2 Secondary sources ....................................................................................................................... 9
4.3.2 Accessing reliable sources of legal information .............................................................................. 10
4.3.2.1 A word of caution on the use of the Internet as a source of information ...................................... 10
4.3.2.2 Databases for reliable, authoritative and persuasive sources of law ........................................... 11
4.3.3 Evaluation of sources ..................................................................................................................... 12
4.4 Construct an outline ....................................................................................................................... 13
4.5 Drafting Assessment 2 ................................................................................................................... 15
4.5.1 Adding content to your report outline .............................................................................................. 15
4.5.2 Components/elements of your draft (and final) research report(s) .................................................. 15
4.5.2.1 Front cover ................................................................................................................................. 15
4.5.2.2 Declaration of authenticity ........................................................................................................... 17
4.5.2.3 Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 17
4.5.2.4 Keywords .................................................................................................................................... 18
4.5.2.5 List of abbreviations and acronyms ............................................................................................. 18
4.5.2.6 Table of contents ........................................................................................................................ 19
4.5.2.7 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 19
4.5.2.8 Body / Middle chapters ............................................................................................................... 20
4.5.2.9 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 22
4.5.2.10 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................ 23
4.6 Some observations concerning legal writing ................................................................................... 23
4.6.1 Keep it clear and simple ................................................................................................................. 23
4.6.2 Hallmarks of good academic legal writing ....................................................................................... 23
4.6.2.1 Clear ........................................................................................................................................... 23
2
,4.6.2.2 Concise....................................................................................................................................... 23
4.6.2.3 Formal ........................................................................................................................................ 24
4.6.2.4 Substantiated .............................................................................................................................. 24
4.6.2.5 Rational ...................................................................................................................................... 24
4.7 Flow of ideas .................................................................................................................................. 24
4.7.1 Bridge sentences............................................................................................................................ 25
4.7.1.1 The recapitulating bridge ............................................................................................................ 25
4.7.1.2 The implication or complication bridge ........................................................................................ 26
4.7.1.3 The question ............................................................................................................................... 26
4.7.2 Transition words and phrases......................................................................................................... 27
4.7.3 Practical suggestions on how to ensure proper flow ....................................................................... 28
4.8 Proofreading, editing and submitting your draft............................................................................... 29
5 THE RESEARCH JOURNEY FROM AFTER SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT 2 TO
SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT 3 .................................................................................................................. 29
5.1 Ongoing revision ............................................................................................................................ 29
5.2 What to expect from the assessment of Assessment 2................................................................... 29
5.3 Very important warning concerning Assessment 3 ......................................................................... 30
5.4 Tasks involved in preparing your final research report .................................................................... 30
SECTION B TOPICS FOR ASSESSMENT 2 AND ASSESSMENT 3 .......................................................... 32
3
, Dear Student
As you know from studying Tutorial Letter 101/3/2021, you are required to produce a draft
research report as Assessment 2 in this module. Assessment 3 (portfolio) consists of a final
research report that constitutes the exit-level assessment for RRLLB81.
This tutorial letter consists of two main sections, SECTION A and SECTION B. SECTION A
contains study material relevant to Assessments 2 and 3. It also provides important
information relating to the planning and writing of these assignments. SECTION B contains
the topics for both assignments. There are three topics from each Department in the School
of Law. SECTION B starts on p 32.
SECTION A PREPARING ASSESSMENTS 2 AND 3
1 INTRODUCTION
As human beings, we cannot possibly claim to be in possession of all information. Even
where we are in possession of a lot of facts, we often have to admit that we do not really
understand the significance of the data or appreciate the intricate interconnectedness
thereof. Research is sparked by what we do not know or understand. Often, it begins with a
question. The question might not even be clear, as we might have insufficient knowledge to
formulate a meaningful question. As we gather more information, our comprehension of the
subject at hand grows; we discover what is clearly established or trite, and we start seeing
the murky depths of the unexplored. As our knowledge and understanding grow more
complex, our questions become more clearly defined and sophisticated. By the time you
take this module, you are a senior law student whose questions should reveal a level of
sophistication and clarity of thought appropriate for one who has travelled some distance on
the journey of exploring the mysteries of the law.
Research entails a careful and systematic investigation or study of a subject aimed at
discovering information or establishing facts. When properly carried out, the process of
research should enhance the researcher’s understanding of the subject and allow him or her
to draw valid conclusions from the factual findings or information discovered.
The acquisition of knowledge proceeds from basic to specialised. Once in possession of
sufficient information to be able to formulate a question worthy of serious investigation, we
can start to collect data or information germane to that particular problem. At undergraduate
level, we might not be in possession of sufficient knowledge or have the required maturity of
thought to make ground-breaking discoveries, but that does not mean that we are not
capable of doing research. To fill the gaps in our own knowledge and understanding, we
might need to research a question to which others, who have dedicated a great deal of their
lives to the study of a particular field, might already have produced adequate answers.
Answers which we cannot (yet) improve upon. Research at this level is not primarily aimed
at making a truly original contribution that moves the boundaries of knowledge in a significant
way, but it surely is intended to increase and enrich the researcher’s own knowledge and
understanding of the subject matter.
Of course, there is no single, final answer to most questions that are worth exploring. As
unique individuals we are capable of contributing to the creation of knowledge by organising,
processing and analysing information in a fresh way, and by expressing our findings in a
distinctive voice. Researchers seldom set out to reinvent the wheel. We can and do learn
4
